ArtWalk, Meeting Sergio Supporters, and Guess Who's Back In Thyme?

Before I begin, I want to thank you all for your comments of support on the last blog post. I read every word over and over, and felt such thanks for having you all as friends. It means more than you could ever know. I am not a very social person, so when virtual friends become real ones, it's like magic. I cannot begin to thank you enough.

Now, on to the weekend update...

This weekend proved to be a very interesting one. On Friday night, Ward participated in Boonton Main Street's ArtWalk 2011. He was the visiting artist at both Skyclad Gallery and Savannah Hope Vintage. Though ArtWalk began at 4 p.m., we weren't able to attend until 6 p.m. I don't know what I was expecting, but what I saw was far more than anything I could have imagined. The streets were packed with cars, the sidewalks were bustling, and the vibe was amazing. I felt so lucky to be attending, and even luckier to be part of the event. Seriously, I have never seen this kind of turn out. I ran into all sorts of people from Mountain Lakes, Denville and, of course, Boonton. Oh, if you didn't attend, well, words cannot explain the atmosphere. (If you did, please comment below on the blog.) All of the galleries were packed with people, as were the shops between them. Chili Willie's Mexican Restaurant had a line out the door. It was exactly how Main Street should look every weekend.

Savannah Hope Vintage and Skyclad Gallery chose to donate 10% of all sales during ArtWalk to the Save Sergio & Co. fund. So of course, I had to shop...

Vintage basket from Savannah Hope Vintage, and...

a set of chenille pumpkins (handmade by the owner of the shop from vintage chenille)

I also got a vintage butter dish with matching salt and pepper shakers, and a handful of super cool greeting cards. I love everything! I'm glad I bought when I did, because they ended up raising $100 to donate to Save Sergio & Co.

Of the people that I ran into that night, one was a wild surprise. Stephanie Duehring is someone that I met through facebook. She became a fan of the Save Sergio & Co., and later, The Domestic Goddess Files and Ward Vogt Designs. She's been incredibly supportive (more, even, than some of my close friends) and seeing her smiling face at ArtWalk -- that she attended with her husband -- was just an added treat. Ward and I got to talk to them for a while, and to introduce them to ADeM from Savannah Hope Vintage, so it was really nice. We met and spoke with lots of really great people, and did a bit of networking. The night was a smashing success.

The next morning we had an early call for a sale we were working, and a wedding to attend later in the day. I really wanted to be at the Grand Re-Opening of Dash of Thyme Gourmet, but didn't see how I would have the time to go. We managed to split out of the sale pretty quickly and it was then that I realized I had time to both get a (much needed) manicure and go to Dash of Thyme. 

Dash of Thyme Gourmet really looks amazing. I cannot believe how quickly they pulled it all together. As I was walking in, I saw my new friend from the previous night, Stephanie, who was talking to Lisa, one of the owners. I hugged her excitedly, and then went to congratulate Lisa. As I was, someone said my name, I think, because a woman who has been a big supporter of the Save Sergio campaign, Lynn Hoffman, came right over and introduced herself to me. We began talking all about what was going on with the campaign, and everyone was so supportive. All agreed that Sergio has a huge, caring heart and that the fund is a good thing. It really made my day.

Of course, I wanted to shop to support them. As I was telling Stephanie and Lynn, if everyone buys what they can locally from independently owned shops, we can really help get people back on their feet. I bought a bunch of stuff, but didn't have my empty olive oil bottle (I have to go back for a refill). There's lots that you can buy there, instead of at the supermarket. Pancake mix, jams and jellies, all types of dips and salsa, hot sauce, seasonings, chocolate, and desserts. They also have great hostess gifts and cool kits for children.

I got (from L to R) Plush Puffs s'mores marshmallows, Prarie Dog chocolate bar (OMG! You must get one!), Fireside Cocoa (in both Caramel Chocolate, and Chocolate Truffle), Gilda's Biscotti in espresso, and a huge bucket of Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix

Some of the purchases are treats (like the artisan marshmallows, chocolate, and biscotti), but my son drinks hot cocoa every day after school in cold weather, and eats pancakes most mornings. Instead of buying those staples in the supermarket, I am buying them here. The price, by the way, for the pancake mix, was cheaper at Dash of Thyme than at the supermarket! It's a bargain, and I am supporting a lovely, independently owned store.

The verdict on the cocoa: Johnny is very particular when it comes to hot cocoa. It must be chocolate-y and creamy. I made him the Fireside Cocoa in chocolate truffle (just boiled water and stirred), and let me tell you, he loved it! This is a big deal because he has snubbed some of the most expensive, organic cocoas on the market and this he drank until the mug was empty. 

I was on a high from the day (something had happened before ArtWalk that threw me for a loop and got me down temporarily) and I returned home to Ward to get ready for the wedding. Things didn't go quite as planned (do they ever?) but we ended up having a really fabulous night. Amazing, actually. Please go enjoy the rest of your weekend, and if you get a chance, go to Dash of Thyme. You'll be happy you did.

Visit Dash of Thyme Gourmet at 49 Broadway in Denville. They are open every day at 11 a.m.; 10 a.m. on Saturday. And yes, they are open on Sunday, so you can check them out today!