Poppy Time

Sunshine and rain mean good poppies. When in Georgetown, drive around Old Town and enjoy the stands of red poppies in so many yards. They are glorious this year. This picture comes from Gwen Green and is one of 17 posted on Flickr of the red poppies in Georgetown. Beautiful!!!

Come on Sat and Sun to enjoy the Red Poppy Fest. "Paint the Town Red" parade starts at 10 on Sat. Great music both days. Little Texas is headline act on Sat.

The Exchange will be open Sat 10 - 8 or until Little Texas start. Sun open 12 - 5. See you there!

Annarella goes BOGO

These are extraordinary days for the small retailer. We are definitely feeling the effects of a slowing economy. In fact we could have told all the talking heads a year ago that this was in the wind. We spend so much time talking and listening to the consumer.And there were hints of a cooling off last holiday season. But who listens to us?

Anyway... Annarella Home is having an unprecedented sale - Buy One item at marked price and Get One of equal or lesser value at 50% off. This makes it a great opportunity for picking up gifts for everyone on your list. Or a great time to save money while stocking up on some of your favorites.

Murval bags - buy one for yourself and get one to give as a gift. These have interior pockets which make them practical as well as being fashionable.

We carry Thymes in the original Gold Leaf scent as well as Lavendar and Kimona Rose.

Cleaning almost becomes a pleasure when using the Caldrea products. All scents are essential oils so people with allergies can enjoy the smell without the tearing and sneezing.

Tea Forte offers the perfect way to say thank you to teachers and co-workers. Plus slip some in a stocking for all the over-worked mothers to relax with.

Don't forget the Lighting of the Square on Friday, November 28 at 6pm. There will be carols sung by choirs, hot chocolate and cookies. We always have a candy cane or tow just waiting for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

First Friday and Art Opening

Good morning, all.

A reminder that tonight is First Friday in downtown Georgetown. It is opening night for the month-long juried art show sponsored by Georgetown Art Works. There are about 90 pieces exhibited in 4 venues from almost 60 Texas artists. Annarella Home has 14 works including 3 of the award winners in photography. I know you will enjoy them.

First Friday we are open until 8:00 with food and drink starting at 6:00. If you miss tonight the exhibit runs until Oct 31. And next Saturday there is a special event just for kids - Art Hopscotch - 9:30 - 11:00. Click on highlight for more info.

Don't forget The Taste of Georgetown is Saturday. Information at 868-8675 or on web. We'll be open til 9:00 and look forward to seeing you all before or after this fun event.

Have a great weekend. Art , wine and food - what else can you ask for!

Fall Events in Georgetown

There is lots to do this fall in Georgetown. Having survived a scorching summer, now is the time to enjoy warm sunny days and balmy nights. Here are some great events that are coming up.

During the month of October the Georgetown Art Works has organized a juried show of paintings and photography. It will open October 3 with the public and artists invited to receptions at the Georgetown Library, 8th Street Studios, the Framers Gallery and Annarella Home.With over 80 pieces from artists all over Texas, this exhibit will run until October 30.

Get to know this exciting group, the Georgetown Art Works, visit their website and volunteer your support in a contribution of money, time or both. Their mission is to create an atmosphere that welcomes art and art education to Georgetown.

The Georgetown Palace Theater opens its 2008-2009 season with "The Producers" on Friday, September 26. Their productions equal any big city shows you will ever see. With awe-inspiring performers and talented directors, the Palace consistently delivers an entertaining evening. See their website for tickets and times.

That same weekend, September 26 and 27th, the Williamson Museum presents Go Up the Chilsom Trail. This is a great event for the family. There is an actual cattle drive with longhorns and a chuckwagon cookoff. Check out the website for a look at all the fun activities and times for the rodeo and the Saturday night concert.

For a change of pace the Georgetown Symphony Society starts its 2008-2009 season. Sorry, I'm late with this and their opening event is today, Sunday, September 14. But you can catch the rest of the season starting with Cliburn Finalist, Joyce Yang, October 26. For a listing of their entire season, information on tickets, and how to become a supporter go to their website.

October 4, enjoy the Taste of Georgetown. This year sees some changes in this event. It will be held in the newly renovated courthouse but will as always spotlight local Georgetown restaurants and Texas wineries. We have tickets available here at Annarella Home. Go to the Downtown Georgetown Association website for complete details.

Finally on October 25, downtown Georgetown will have the second City-Wide Garage and Sidewalk Sale. This was such great fun and successful when it was tried in the spring, its back.
We will be participating in the sidewalk sale aspect. It will be the last time our 1/2 off table will be seen until after the holidays. So make sure you stop by.

So much going on we've extended our hours. Now open til 8 on Friday and Saturdays. Before or after enjoying one of the fine restaurants downtown, stop in and say hi.

We always have fresh ideas for gifts and decorating.

Around town

Looking for a special treat? Cherie Gilbert has opened Galaxy Cupcakes. Her new store is located at 1501 Park Lane, Georgetown, next to the Brooklyn Pie Company. The cupcakes are out of this world good! Besides having the standard flavors, there are a whole series of adult cupcakes inspired by cocktails. Not for the young but definitely for all the young at heart. Yummy!!!

Stop by and say hi to Nikki who will be helping out at the cash register. Don't forget the Gooberfest charity ride on September 6. All proceeds will go to the Nikki Gilbert Benefit Fund. A fun day for a good cause.

First Friday in Georgetown

Like lots of towns and city districts, Downtown Georgetown has one night a month, here it is the first Friday, when stores put out food and drink to create a party atmosphere for customers. It started as a special night for art exhibit openings but has grown to include most stores. Its always fun and relaxed. Here at Annarella Home we love having the chance to talk to old friends and meet new ones over a glass of wine or a plate of nibbles. If you haven't strolled the downtown on a First Friday, come to this one. We'd love to see you

Our next artist's opening will be Laurel Daniel on September 5. Take a sneak peek at her latest landscapes on her blog.

Scattered Showers by Laurel Daniel

Don't forget we're into the final days of out SALE. It ends Saturday at 6pm. The response has been very good. It seems that everyone really appreciated being able to get the 20% off on custom orders.

Ellie

More pictures

Feast your eyes on these artists. Click on their names to go to their websites to see more.

Young artist, Dan Zinno, lives and works in Georgetown. His abtracts are vivid and energetic. I love his surfaces which can't fully be appreciated in photos. The top picture shows his pieces hanging in Annarella Home during his February show. The second photo is titled "Apologies to the Next Generation." He names his pieces in a variety of ways, including sometimes using an overheard comment while working on them. I always love hearing what his titles mean.

Another Georgetown artist, Don Snell, works with a sense of humor. This oil titled, "Staying Home from School," is whimsical and deceptively simple. Snell shows his childlike side here but many of his pieces are biting satire. He loves to make the viewer squirm a little. And yet his figurative work can be multi-layered and haunting. After 60 years of painting his subjects and paintings remain fresh and topical.

Enjoy looking at these artists. Let me know what you think.

Ellie