Alpaca Hats!

Hats! Oh, do we have beautiful alpaca hats and headbands! See more designs at The Alpaca Home Store and we have these and more available right here at Poppy's in Meadows of Dan.

Nordic Hat

Lots of subtle color in this charming hat

Fun slouchy beret

We have soft, warm headbands in several styles.

Poppy's 10 Concord Road Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Thursday to Monday April to November. Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Friday to Sunday December to End of March

New at Poppy's!

Hand Painted Folding Sun Hats

Sarah Reyburn, local artist, just brought in these lovely silk sun hats that she hand paints in unique, one-of-a-kind designs. They fold into a cunning matching pouch.

Green Bee Tea Towels

New tea towel designs from Green Bee. I was pleased to reorder and restock the popular cat and dog themes as well.

Charming Felted Ornaments by The Winding Road

People love the mobiles but several folks asked for the individual animals. So here they are, in little ornaments featuring unicorns, jungle animals and farm animals. There are some kitties, too.

Poppy's 10 Concord Road Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Thursday to Monday April to November. Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Friday to Sunday December to End of March

Patrick County Barn Quilt Trail

Tree of Life Barn Quilt at Poppy's in Meadows of Dan

Poppy's  is proud to be on the Patrick County Barn Quilt Trail. There are over 40 locations on the trail and at least 4 barn quilts at shops right here in Meadows of Dan. Come into the shop to get a list or at least be on the lookout as you travel around the county.

I took a class sponsored by the Reynolds Homestead to make this barn quilt. The class was delightful and we had so much fun. It was wonderful to see all the different designs and exciting to know that we'd be a part of the larger trail. So many people have come in already to look at the barn quilts in the area. Right now I'm working on a crocheted version of a barn quilt to put on a wall inside the shop.

Poppy's 10 Concord Road Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Thursday to Monday April to November. Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Friday to Sunday December to End of March

New Alpaca Gloves and Fingerless Mitts!

Beautiful alpaca and leather gloves and fingerless mitts.

 We have so many new alpaca items here at the shop! Sandra brought new toys, new scarves, new leggings, new socks and these wonderful driving gloves. Well-made, very warm and with leather in the palms for comfort and security.

Black men's gloves

These gloves would make a marvelous gift for a motorcycle lover or anyone who works or drives in cold weather conditions!

Poppy's 10 Concord Road Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Thursday to Monday April to November. Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Friday to Sunday December to End of March

New Jewelry Line at Poppy's!

Earrings and Pins from Rigadoon Glass Studios

Rigadoon Glass Studios charming earrings

We are so glad to have Amy Jean Nichols of Rigadoon Glass Studios join our little family of artisans here at Poppy's! Amy is an artist who creates wonderful and unique glass jewelry in her fifth generation farmhouse in Ohio. Her designs range from sophisticated to quirky and nature themes influence her work with lines including elegant tree leaves and flowers. She works with enamel on copper and with glass to create jewelry with character and individuality.

Poppy's 10 Concord Road Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Thursday to Monday April to November. Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Friday to Sunday December to End of March.

Poppy's Grand Opening, May 25, 2019!

Grand Opening! Saturday, May 25, 2019, 9 AM to 5 PM. Snacks, lemonade, great people to meet and handspinning demonstrations.

Poppy's 10 Concord Road Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Thursday to Monday April to November. Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Friday to Sunday December to End of March

Projects at Poppy's

Projects at Poppy's. So, in between pricing gift items, processing books, straightening shelves, planting flowers, entering accounting data and the usual chores for Dad, sometimes I get to knit, crochet or even spin.

Super Fine Blanket Sampler by Marken of The Hat and I

My cousin Amy and I have each been working on this lovely blanket, made with Patons North America Kroy Sock FX yarn. Or I may have some other Patons sock yarn mixed in there. Once you get the very easy pattern figured out, it's great listening to podcast or audio books work.

Fingerless mitts (my pattern) in Atlantic Breeze Alpaca blend yarns

I have some lovely yarns from Atlantic Breeze Alpacas and I've been whipping up these samples to show how nice the yarns looks in a finished object from a couple of partial balls that Sandra included when she brought the yarn in. There's only a little of that deep burgundy left!

Dreamin' of Tulips from Think Outside the Sox in Sock-ease yarn

Don't anyone faint. Yes, I don't do socks, and yes, this is a sock. I can't imagine what got into me. The pattern is an easy one that was jazzed up in the original with color changes. I'm just going along with this subtle stripe and so far I'm pleased with the effect.

Merino wool on the Haldane upright wheel

I finally got a chance to bring the spinning wheel up but I haven't gotten a lot of spinning done yet because I need to bring a better chair. I hope to ply this nice burgundy with some dyed angora or a blend to give it some punch.

But right now it's a beautiful day and between customers, I think I'll go plant some gladiolas!

Poppy's 10 Concord Road Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Thursday to Monday April to November. Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Friday to Sunday December to End of March

We're Open! Beautiful New Location in Meadows of Dan!

Poppy's 10 Concord Road Meadows of Dan, VA 24120
Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Thursday to Monday April to November.
Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Friday to Sunday December to End of March

Opening for the season!

Opening for the season on Saturday, May 13. New hours are 1 PM to 5 PM, Saturday thru Tuesday. Wednesdays and Fridays I'm still at Jerry and Connie's House of Collectibles with yarn and fiber as well. I'm also available at other hours; had to cut back the shop due to looking after Dad. Text or call me at 276-952-8370 if you are in town!


Greenberry House, 12206 Squirrel Spur Road, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 Hours: 1 PM to 5 PM Saturday to Tuesday. April to mid-November. Closed except by appointment or chance. Mid-November to End of March

Book Review - Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance

Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance

The young writer brought up some very interesting points about the economic and social situation in America's Rust Belt but very few answers as to how to deal with the enormous problems in the area. Like the author, I'm not sure there are any easy answers. One of the many points I found interesting was in the last chapter, where he acknowledges the enormous amount of help he received through his life from many people, especially the support of his grandparents. I often hear people that consider themselves self-made claim that they never received help from anyone. I suppose it depends on if you think help is only financial.  Branching out from this was the question of how to offer support to a social group that is isolated in poverty with few examples of success as inspiration and few mentors to show the way out of the crippling situation. Vance points out how little he knew about the world how to succeed, even after a stint in the military and four years of college. He also mentions how helpful knowing the right people can be in career and life choices.

The constant message that Vance received as a child was that he and his culture weren't good enough and that the choices of the white working class don't matter. His grandmother, an amazing woman who did her best despite struggling with an alcoholic husband and children with enormous issues,  tried to counteract this idea but was only partly successful. Vance's time in the Marine Corps did the most to change his attitude, although he constantly reinforces that he felt himself lucky to have had the support of his grandparents and I think he is right. Their support, along with the many other people that helped him throughout his life, helped him overcome a childhood of trauma due to an absent father and a mother who never overcame drug addiction.

This is not a book with answers to the problems of the working poor in America, but I think the book gives a fairly accurate portrayal of the complicated attitudes and issues. There are some valid criticisms of the book; some think he blames the poor for their own misfortunes and he does have a pessimistic view of how much the government can help. What stands out to me is the despair of the families and town, the struggles with addiction and hopelessness. At the end of the book things have deteriorated, both in the town and in his mother's personal life. To me, doing something to help has got to be better than standing by and doing nothing. 

Greenberry House, 12206 Squirrel Spur Road, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM Saturday to Tuesday. April to mid-November. Closed except by appointment or chance. Mid-November to End of March

The Season is Officially Over

And the season is done. There may still be some pretty days and I'll mostly be in town, so if you are in the area, give me a call. Thanks to all my wonderful customers and terrific vendors for a great year!

Greenberry House, 12206 Squirrel Spur Road, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM Saturday to Tuesday. April to mid-November. Closed except by appointment or chance, Mid-November to End of March

Changing Seasons

The end of our busy season is approaching. I'll be open regular seasonal hours this weekend, from Saturday to Tuesday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Next weekend I'll be open on Saturday and Sunday, and the I'll be closed for the season. If you are a vendor and want to pick up your things, drop me a line and I'll arrange to meet you. Thanks, everyone, for a great summer!

Greenberry House, 12206 Squirrel Spur Road, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM Saturday to Tuesday. April to mid-November. Closed except by appointment or chance. Mid-November to End of March

Swinging into Fall

Mist across the pumpkin fields at Greenberry House

I know I post every year about how busy October can be here in Meadows of Dan, but it's an exciting time for the little businesses in our area and we appreciate all the visitors that come to see our beautiful mountain and the glories of fall color.

Wonderful handmade kitchen accessories from Lazy R Country Crafts

Stunningly beautiful traditional Appalachian baskets made by local artisan Frances Radford

I've expanded the crafts at the shop and now have these lovely items made by local artisans, along with the lovely yarns from local handspinners and farmers. I will probably expand the crafts with a few carefully selected lines next year. There isn't a great deal of space and I want to continue to represent our talented local workers.

Romance by George Barr McCutcheon

The shelves are full of books at the shop and I've listed over 1300 books on our sales website. Cataloging, pricing and photographing books takes a lot of time but I enjoy the process and I always feel like I'm learning something nearly every day.

New girls in town

The Buff Orpingtons in my flock are getting older and with this last molt, they don't appear to be interested in egg laying anymore. A local farmer had these lovely girls for sale so I went over to Willis and picked them up. They are a mixed group but I'm enjoying the personalities. The white one in the cage is the first silkie I've ever had here.

A good dog

Knightley stays busy greeting customers and protecting the house from deer, squirrels, the lawn man and the fellows that came to pick up the old propane tank this past week. I wasn't here when they came and Knightley had quite a story to tell me when I came home!

Wild blue asters

Fall is a special time in Meadows of Dan, with Pancake Days drawing crowds, leaves tuning and crisp weather bringing in tourists, and wonderful produce available at roadside stands all along the main roads. Winter is coming and things will be quieter, so I'll be spending time spinning, knitting, and getting things ready for another year to come. The rhythm of the seasons.

Greenberry House, 12206 Squirrel Spur Road, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM Saturday to Tuesday. April to mid-November. Closed except by appointment or chance. Mid-November to End of March