Part 1 -Getting a Jump on the Holidays

Good Sunday Morning to you all! Can you believe we're in the middle of November already? Thanksgiving is a week and a half away and before we can blink, the holiday season will be upon us. Although I know of a few folks who are super efficient and have their Christmas shopping done already, I'm betting that most of you, like me, are just beginning to think about starting. And if you're even more like me, you're probably sitting there without a clue of where to begin. We're all pretty blessed and live in a material world where our haves outnumber our have-nots, making gift giving a bit of a challenge. So....I thought I'd do a little series on some tucked away treasures, places you may not have visited where you might just find that unique gift you're looking for. Today I'm starting that series with one of my favorite places to visit and one you'd never expect on a list of Christmas shops.........the September Morning Alpaca Farm in Buskirk, NY.

Now I know what you're thinking.....you aren't in the market for an alpaca. Well, although an alpaca would make a perfect pet, I'm not talking about adopting an alpaca. This weekend I was honored to be invited to document September Morning Alpaca's First Annual Holiday Open House and the grand opening of their new gift shop! As you might remember from my previous posts, September Morning is owned and operated by Dominick and Maryann Giglio. Their farm has been in existence for about five years and is home to about 14 alpacas. (I say 'about' because if you know anything about alpaca and llama farmers.....that number is ever-changing, mostly in the increasing direction). Opening a gift shop was the perfect idea and was accomplished with lots of labor, planning, organizing and brain work which came together with the help of the whole Giglio family and Maryann and Dom's friend, Kimberly Davidson, who is Maryann's store partner.

Kim, who owns her own farm, Big Red Alpacas, just down the road a piece works together with Dominick when it comes to the alpacas. In fact, Kim brought a few of her own alpaca's over to September Morning farm this weekend for the Open House! One of those alpacas was a mom with her one week-old baby!

Like Dominick and Maryann, and our other llama and alpaca farm owners, the Capasso's and the Tybush's, Kim demonstrates that farm owners are some of the nicest, kindest folk around. A long-time scientist and engineer and now a Biology teacher, Kim is not only a fascinating conversationalist but hilarious and just fun to be around. Together Kim and Maryann work on the production and sale of their beautiful alpaca yarn - which by the way is the softest you've ever felt. In addition to selling yarn, the store will have many other items available including socks, gloves, mittens, and all sorts of items made from alpaca fiber as well as gift items, fresh eggs from their farm, maple syrup many other items yet to come. What neat and unique gifts for the people on your gift list! The gift shop will be open on Friday and Saturdays from 10:00-4:00 and other times by appointment. Contact information will be at the bottom of this post. In the meantime - here's a sneak peak of what you'll find when you visit.....

Of course I'd be lying if I said I was only there to take part in the Open House. Naturally I was mostly there to see my alpaca friends. I'm telling you - I am over the moon in love with these animals. A friend visited my facebook page last evening and texted me, "what's with all the alpaca and llama photos?" I replied, "Umm....I'm in love with them!" He replied, "Oh....ok". If you've never been around alpacas (or llamas), they are some of the sweetest, gentlest animals you'll ever meet. My September Morning favorite (don't tell the other alpacas) is "Fancy". Fancy, I believe, has a bit of an identity issue. I think she thinks she's a dog because not only does she just love being petted and scratched, she'll actually lay down next to you and stay as long as you are giving her attention. With the soft, thick fiber coat and her loving disposition, I could have easily packed her into our backseat and brought her home. I'm convinced she'd make the perfect cuddle buddy on a cold winter's night.

So even if you're not in the market for an alpaca, be sure to take a drive out to Buskirk - just off Rt 67 and stop in to September Morning Alpacas and do a little shopping. And while you're there, say hi to my friends - oh, and Dom and Maryann, and Kim too! And stay tuned for my next installment and some neat places to get a jump on your Christmas list. In the meantime, here's a few of my friends on the farm. To see many more, be sure to check out my Facebook page, as well as the September Morning Alpaca Farm's facebook page and their website (links below).