Kebel Korner ~ More than Just Another Consignment Shop!

Nov8

I introduced you to Kebel Galleries and shared a few pictures from Kebel Korner in my last post. Today, I have more to share about my recent visit to Kebel Korner. The entrance to Kebel is a door on the right side of the flower shop entrance. As you climb a short set of stairs, you’ll find yourself on a small corner landing where you’ll see a small table with flowers, note cards introducing Kebel Consignors and a lit candle that gives you the sense that you are about to enter a shop that is relaxing and special. At the top of the second short flight of stairs, you’ll enter a small foyer. In this area, there is another glimpse of what awaits you as you enter the shop itself. As you turn left, you enter Kebel Korner which is literally at the corner of the building. As you walk through the open door, a room filled with an array of handcrafted items enters your vision. On the right hand side of the doorway against the wall, you’ll notice a tea table – an important fixture in the room as you’ll soon see.

The day we visited, we found Laura working on business behind her desk. Other times, she can be found working on some of the many items that she personally handcrafts. A walk around the shop brings you to various displays which highlight the artisans and artists who consign with Kebel. You can read about Kebel’s consignors and their work in small photo journals displayed alongside their product. There is truly something for everyone at Kebel! But Kebel is so much more than just another consignment shop. It is much more than just a business for Laura. She will tell you that the “heart of Kebel is service and providing a ‘refreshing well’ for customers and consignors.” Most consignors are in need of money to run their households and Kebel gives them a place to consign their goods and receive encouragement, hope and help. For customers, it’s a place that Laura says allows them to feel connected, offers them a place to relax (remember the tea table) and just makes them feel good. As for the future of Kebel Galleries, only the Lord knows but don’t be surprised if you see Kebel Korners in various communities around the state. You can visit Kebel Corner at 712 Mast Road in Pinardville which is located between Manchester and Goffstown New Hampshire. Store hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm. You can also connect with Kebel Galleries through their website (www.kebelgalleries.com) or facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KebelGalleries).

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Introducing Kebel Galleries

Nov6

I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the birth and growth of Kebel Galleries. My introduction to Kebel came during a ladies breakfast fellowship as Laura Coleman shared how the Lord was leading her to begin a new company. Let’s hear the story in Laura’s own words.

“A little more than two years ago, the Lord began to reveal to me that He wanted me to establish another business. Seven years prior, God directed me to establish a business that was doing well, allowed me time to be home with our son, and helped bring in some extra money into the household. Knowing I already had one business, I was somewhat overwhelmed at the thought of establishing another one. Over the course of a year and a half God’s leading became clearer. In January 2011, as I brought this leading to many of my Christian sisters and brothers, it became clear the Lord wanted me to establish a retail consignment company. This company would be established to help promote and sell items hand crafted by people. Many stay at home moms and dads, people who are unemployed or physically challenged, older adults and elderly need a source to help them promote and sell the items they craft. In our economy today, so many people need to find ways to generate extra income. Many are relying on their God-given talent and skills to provide for their families. God showed me that He wanted me to join fine art, fine craft, and functional craft together into one eclectic group. In March 2011, as I sought the Lord for direction on what to name the company, He gave me the words “braided together” which, in Hebrew is Kebel.”

And so Kebel Galleries was established in April of 2011 and in June, with 3 consignors, the first Kebel Gallery Mobile Boutique was held. These “pop-up” boutiques have been held in homes, senior centers, day spas and businesses throughout various communities in New Hampshire. From its’ inception, Kebel has provided online ordering through the Kebel Galleries website. As of this writing, Kebel Galleries has held 26 of these unique gatherings showcasing the talents of 56 local consigning artisans and artists.

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The Old TN Trail~An 84 Mile Loop That’s Definitely Worth the Trip!

Nov2

My husband and I are pickers at heart! We love searching for old treasures and picking them up for a fraction of their original cost. Of course, we never turn around and sell any of our finds, and we do like to use what we find rather than just letting them sit to collect dust. Perhaps one day we may have to sell some of our treasures, for we’re quickly running out of space, but for now, we’re enjoying just searching for great finds!!

Last year one of our best finds was a small town in central Tennessee called Leiper’s Fork. It is a suburb of Nashville, and some of the Country Music stars found it first. It’s a come as you are and sit a spell kind of place that is incredibly quaint and peaceful.

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Spending The Day in a Mennonite Community

Oct11

The Annual Mennonite Fall Festival & Auction in Whiteville TN

Just up the road from Backermann’s Bakery is Byler’s Woodcraft & Furniture Store, and each year on the first Saturday in October, the Bylers host the Mennonite’s Fall Festival and Auction to raise funds for the Mennonite school. Most items are handmade by the Mennonite community, and because they have such a good reputation for crafting such fine quality products, they bring in a good sum of money for the school. The Festival begins each year with an All-you-Can-Eat Breakfast at 7 am and later on they will be serving an All-You-Can- Eat Barbeque dinner with baked beans Cole slaw, potato salad, etc. so plan to come hungry!! They will also be selling homemade ice cream and freshly made apple butter and other canned jams and jellies along with all kinds of freshly made baked goods from Backermann’s Bakery.

Some of the Items to be Auctioned.

Or you could try bidding on some of the same items made by others for the auction, but they generally will go higher than what is on the back tables. All the items are made and donated by the community. They will even auction off four hours of yard work or a shared home-cooked meal with their family which are always very popular!

Sun-catchers Made by the School Children

Everyone gets involved in making and donating goods to the action, including the school children themselves.

Some of the Women checking out The Quilts They Helped To Make.

Throughout the year the women all get together in different quilting bees and make quilts to be auctioned. Some of the quilts have gone for thousands of dollars and are definitely one of the most popular items. The wood working items are also popular. They include outdoor sheds, children’s swing sets, picnic tables, yard art, home furnishings to beautifully crafted lamps and chess sets, etc.

As a Quilter, I’m Interested in Their Work As Well!

Being a quilter myself, I can verify that their quilts are nicely done!

Let The Auction Begin!

This year, as in past years it was a packed house with not enough bales of hay for everyone! The auction begins at 10 AM,

so it’s best to arrive early for a good seat!

The Auction Began With A Group Singing a Few of Their Favorite Hymns

The auction began with a group of men singing a few hymns acappella style as a way of sharing their faith and this might be a good time to share just a bit of their history and beliefs, for there still seems to be some questions that remain about the Mennonite church even though they are happy to share their faith with anyone who’s curious.

The Mennonites are a branch of the Christian church, which got their start back in the 16th Century Protestant Reformation. They were part of the group known as Anabaptists because they rebaptized adult believers. The Mennonites took their name from Menno Simons, a Dutch priest who converted to the Anabaptist faith and then helped lead them to prominence in Holland by the mid-16th Century. Constant persecution, however, led many to North America, and today there are almost 1 million members worldwide, with churches in North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

They have chosen a simpler form of lifestyle, one they feel brings them closer to God and His creation. Each community is self-governing and decides on what will and won’t be allowed. Mennonites are a peace-loving people and refuse to take up arms against their enemies. Instead, they believe they are to love and pray for their enemies and, therefore, are exempt from military service and also will not run for any political office. They believe that demonstrating Christ’s love to all people is of the utmost importance.

What most stands out to me is their sense of family and team work. They sing together, worship together, work together, and all live together in the same community. There is a great sense of unity or oneness among them. They exemplify an environment where one is accepted, supported, encouraged, admonished and most of all, loved. With all our technology today and social media outlets, the Mennonite people appear to be able to connect to one another much better than the world around them can.

A Sweet Moment – While Auctioning Off A “JD” Planter, They Set a Child in The Drivers Seat

I hope someday you might have the chance to visit and get to know these sweet people a bit better!

‘Til next time, sue

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A Visit To My Favorite Bakery

Oct9

Bakermann’s Bakery Located on Hwy 64 in Whiteville, TN

On a sunny, but crisp, fall morning, a favorite place to visit is a bakery found at the beginning of a Mennonite community in Whiteville, Tennessee. The bakery is called Backermann’s Bakery, which actually means Baker-man. It is managed by Mark Yoder for his parents, Earl and Mary Yoder.

It’s located along a long stretch of highway surrounded by farmland and with just a few houses dotting the landscape. In fact, if you didn’t know about this special place, you might miss it altogether, but it is so worth the drive!

I arrived on a Wednesday morning recently, just at the height of the baking day. A bell signaled my arrival when I opened the door, and I was immediately greeted with warm, moist air scented with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and homemade bread. There was sweet Acappella praise music playing. Often I have heard the ladies singing along as they worked. It is as though I’ve taken a step back to a simpler time to grandma’s kitchen of long ago. It’s a place I like to linger awhile.

Lynita preparing their breads for sale.

The bakery is one large room divided only by a counter. One side has huge ovens and work tables, a bread slicer, mixers and all their necessary baking equipment.

Baked Goods

The other side is filled with rows of shelves laden with 15 different kinds of homemade breads plus seasonal sweetbreads, like the Pumpkin Bread recipe (below) that Mr. Yoder was kind enough to share with me.

Canned Goods

There are also wonderful sweet rolls like cinnamon and pecan sticky buns, all kinds of cookies, cakes and their famous pumpkin roll. There are even fried pies; something I’d never had before until visiting there.

Pumpkin Rolls { A Favorite! }

There are also jars of jams, jellies, pickles and all the different kinds of flours and baking supplies you would need to do the baking yourself.

Along the walls are large refrigerating units that house their own grass-fed, hormone-free beef products, fresh eggs, bottles of milk that haven’t been homogenized, and fresh churned butter and cheeses. Everything they bake is free from preservatives, and all their products are made right here in the community or shipped from other Mennonite communities.

Entrance to The Yoder’s Farm

Looking out the back windows of the store, I can see a bit of the Yoder’s farm with chickens running around and even a few donkeys. The Yoders are a Mennonite family whose faith calls them to a simpler way of life that focuses on God, His creation, and one another. Mark and his wife have been blessed with six children, who all help with running the farm and business once they are old enough to take on the certain responsibilities.

Mark Yoder and Family

If you are ever in the area, I want to encourage you to stop in! I can absolutely guarantee you will be blessed, if not by the peaceful, inviting environment, then definitely by their baked goods!! Until then, their pumpkin bread recipe is sure to entice you to plan a visit! Enjoy!

Bachermann’s Bakery Pumpkin Bread

makes 5 loaves

3 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Oil
1 Cup Water
4 Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla
1 Tbsp. Baking Soda
½ tsp. Baking Powder
2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Cloves
3 ½ Cups Flour
2 Cups Pumpkin
¾ Cup Chopped Pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream oil and sugar together, then add rest of ingredients and mix well. Fill each well-greased loaf pan half full and bake for 45 minutes or until bread is firm.

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The Timed-warped Wife