http://www.turtlecreektradingcompany.com/Turtle-Creek-Trading-Company-blog.html The Turtle Creek Blog is the Turtle Creek Trading Company in Saint Ansgar, Iowa. TCTC specializes in home decor, pottery, scrap booking supplies, and rustic items with a creative flair. en-us Turtle Creek Trading Company Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:46:10 GMT Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:46:10 GMT turtlecreektradingcompany.com http://www.turtlecreektradingcompany.com/handmade-piggy-banks.html Looking for a unique gift? Handmade piggy banks from Turtle Creek Pottery are a gift as unique as the one who receives it. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:25:26 GMT http://www.turtlecreektradingcompany.com/turtle-creek-pottery.html Looking for unique handmade pottery gifts? You'll find them at Turtle Creek Pottery. Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:33:33 GMT http://www.turtlecreektradingcompany.com The world was covered with frost this morning and I couldn't help but think it was beautiful. The inevitable coming of winter brings dread for some and delight for others. The latter for my four year old. He begins to radiate joy at the thought of playing in the snow. When the tiniest snowflakes fall his bright gaze out the window shows his enthusiasm. I must confess I have a mixture of thoughts tumbling in my head like my spinning washer. Frantic searches for mitten's mates dance before my eyes, shoveling snow covered sidewalks a day late after passerby's have had to forge their way- remembering to warm up the car in the mornings-all these thoughts balanced with the pure joy in my children's eyes at the marvel and wonder of snow. These days I have to forcibly concentrate on the joy in life and not let the negative crowd in. How I wish to be able to see life through a child's eyes despite the responsibilities and overgrown worries of adulthood. I need to put a camera filter of joy over my lens to the world. Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:28:14 GMT http://www.turtlecreektradingcompany.com We have several groups that meet in our store. They discuss a preordained writing and workbook. As an outsider to these groups I find myself absorbing certain things from their discussion. Mostly I pick up on the tone of their voices. Each individual brings a different attitude to the table. There are the calm, soothing voices that automatically intrigue one to want to know more about their perspective. Then there are those that genuinely want to be heard and demand an audience almost rudely by their tones. How does one come to have these individual tones whether calm or raking? What are my tones? When customers come to my store what do they hear? A quiet calm voice, an interested listener wanting to help? Or do they want to duck and run for the hills? I certainly hope we are inviting! At Turtle Creek we have put our lives into the store, into our customers. Wanting to please and make days brighter. Our goal has been to have a place where comfortable is the norm, a sanctuary- and sanctuary it has been for us. As well as a place to learn about ourselves and our relationships with those around us. A place where we can escape the every day pressures and a place to confront our fears. This adventure of a business has challenged us, prodded us to become better, and has also consoled us at times. It has made us realize that we all have a voice that needs to be let out, needs to be heard. Being true to ourselves takes a great amount of bravery-to be honest with ourselves and others. To strive to get through miscommunications and get down to the truth in all matters. Honesty and truth are rocky roads. Most times it would be so much easier to deny ourselves the truth and let things appear smooth. We tell ourselves all sorts of lies and rationalizations so we can head down that easy path. In the end we jade ourselves whether we care to admit it or not. The rocky road is where the adventure is at. Turtle Creek has been far more than a mere business adventure. It has been a life learning adventure. We hope you will seek out the adventure in your life too. Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:28:14 GMT http://www.turtlecreektradingcompany.com We awoke this morning to a very blustery day. Leaves, dried and crackling, skitter loudly across the paved road and occasionally rise up to swirl and dance in the wind. A few trees still boast fall colors but the majority have given up their cloaks and have nestled into the inevitable that we all know- winter is coming. I managed to pull myself out of bed and make it to the store just in time to get my coffee and start my waking up process. Regular French Roast, 2 squirts of Hazelnut and 1/4 cup of whipped cream. I'm afraid I must admit I like a little coffee with my whipped cream in the morning. I've got to get my calcium some how... This morning Terri opened the store and she had an early visitor, Dorothy, who loves to come in and reminisce about the old days over a cup of coffee. She is a spry lady who surprised me when she told me her age- she seems 20 years younger than she is. I hope I can do the same- live each day with vigor and vitality despite setbacks. It is a great part about being involved in Turtle Creek Trading Co. -being able to learn about so many who come in. Everyone's story is so interesting, the happy, the sad, the graceful and not so graceful... Each day brings in something and someone new. My list of things to do is starting to intrude upon my mind, write some checks, order a few things for our coffee kiosk and a few last minute Christmas items to sell. Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:46:53 GMT