Friendly Faces

Ms. EMILY, recently retired, but an honorary member of the D&O family, has been a presence at the store since our opening in 1997.  She is well known and much loved around Prairie Grove. It’s worth your trip just to meet her.  Originally from Chicago and still talking a little bit differently from the rest of us, she has earned our greatest respect and sets a certain level of perfection!  She is wonderful and quite a cook explaining why some of us are gaining in our outward appearance. Our Emily is not one for having her picture taken but she agreed to share her famous Butterscotch Brownies recipe. Before she changed her mind, we asked her to write it on this paper bag. GOT IT!! Click on picture to see it all. Thanks, Emily!
PAM has been at D & O for more than seven years.  She’s a cute little gal from Georgia and, if you want to mention an accent and a mean streak – she has both. Her husband claims that she can be “meaner a snake,”  but we know better.  She’s a sweetie pie and can run her knitting needles at top speed and spin a southern yarn even faster!  She makes the store warm and fuzzy just by being there. You can be sure to find her on the1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, Bring Your Own Project Day from 10am ’til dinner time.  Her booth, #76 Georgia Peach, features Brown Sheep (Nature Spun & Lamb’s Pride) yarn.  She makes the cutest little dumplin’ bags, ewe so ugly dolls, hooked ornaments and felted hats.  Don’t forget the recycled wool in bundles!
SISTER MARY  (Ms. Daisy’s Daughter) will kiss your baby, pinch your husband, and do whatever else she can to make you feel at home. In addition to her flea market habit, she is an avid knitter and the founder of Cannon Creek Creations line of knitted goods. You can find Cannon Creek Creations and many fascinating antiquities in her booth, #13 Sister Mary’s Habit. What she loves most is greeting and working with customers and she does it well.  Sister Mary loves people; Sister Mary is a Protestant.  Where did she come up with a name like that for her booth?
 PILL – she just “appeared” one day, introduced herself, said she loved everything about D&O and that she was here to stay no matter what!  Pill is a genuine person with a sweet heart, beautiful smile and vibrant personality; she loves people.  Next thing we noticed is that she had settled herself into a tiny little spot and started selling her lovely wares.   We’re still scratching our head and wondering how she showed up out of nowhere.   Pill’s wonderful husband, Jim, explains that they retired from their pharmacy business of many years in Hot Springs and came here to enjoy their kids/grandkids.  We think an angel could have sent her to us.  But, we’re not asking any more questions…we have tasted the delicious peach bread Pill makes and heard her admit to “dumpster diving.”  That’s all we need to know.  And, in case you’re wondering…her nickname is Phyllis!
Here’s our JUDY.  Judy retired from her career job and put on some new hats.  She is enjoying spending time with her beautiful daughters (who happen to look just like Judy) and her wonderful grandchildren.  And, not unlike some of our other friendly faces, she is married to a nice man named Jim.  Judy’s Jim makes beautiful saddles (check the web for Harwell Horse & Mule Custom Saddles & Tack) and together they have a western theme booth at D&O called Mimi’s Treasures, in honor of Judy’s grandmother.   Our Judy is a cowgirl…she can ride a horse across the plains.  She loves the outdoors and can hike for miles.  Her most recently accomplishment was becoming  yoga instructor and eventually we hope she will do some classes at the store after hours.   Judy recently celebrated her 60 birthday and some of us were present to witness Scooter tattooing an Om on her leg just above her ankle.  Wow – what a gal our Judy is; we love her.
CARRIE has been a part of our D&O family for many years but recently became one of our friendly faces.  Carrie came to Arkansas from Wisconsin so a little extra effort had to made by us so she would understand what we were trying to say.  For instance, she had no idea what we were talking about when we said cement (ceeeee-mint).  We had to take her outside and point to an example.  She said “Oh, you mean sa-mynt.” She likes us anyway – even if we don’t’ say it right.   But, there was no confusion whatsoever when we saw an example of her creativity.  Her style can be quickly recognized as soft, warm, peaceful, and timeless.  She has the innate ability to produce original artwork with merchandise.  Carrie has sweet, generous and kind heart.  It’s not unusual to see her helping other vendors overcome obstacles with their displays and working with customers to help them put together some great finds.  Interior design is not just Carrie’s talent, it’s her passion!  Our customers normally shop leisurely and their merchandise accumulates at the counter until their final selections have been made.   If you happen to be such a customer when Carrie is at the counter, don’t be surprised when you come to check out if Carrie has made a beautiful display of your things instead of having them wrapped and ready to go.  Daisies and Olives is extremely fortunate that we have someone of Carrie’s caliber with us.  We are blessed; her presence and contributions are evident throughout the store.  Oh, and not to break the spell….but Carrie also cuts and colors our hair.  In spite of the fact that she is a fine beautician…she has her work cut out for her with some of our expectations!  Thanks, Carrie!
Here’s JENNIFER!  We were quite happy when Jennifer agreed to help us out once in a while at the counter.  What were our ulterior motives?  Well, besides being a very attractive and sweet gal, Jennifer is tall, has a strong back, a creative mind, and she knows her stuff.   It’s hard for us to acknowledge the word but she is – uh..well…okay…YOUNG.  Younger than most of us will know about ever again.  Besides that, she seems to love lifting and moving heavy things.  Jenn’s booth is called “Simply Swanky” and that’s just what it is.  She specializes in spectacular, colorful and unusual home décor and it is…..swanky and a customer favorite.  She does everything well and we appreciate her so much.  Jennifer lives in Farmington with her wonderful husband and a couple of very active teenagers…Ty and Emma.  We admire her energy and and appreciate her strong and honest character.  Although we would enjoy having her around more…she stays very busy with all her other activities which includes soccer mom.  From what we understand the soccer team is becoming famous.  Thanks, Jennifer – you rock!
Allow us to introduce FRANCINE. Francine is a tall and blonde-haired gal from California and has enlightened us here in our little corner of the world. She has mentioned things like she once was a 1960’s flower child wannabe…she talks about the freeway, the correct way to say pie, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, San Francisco sourdough bread, galleo salami, the beach…catching the big waves…the surf is up, and many many other things. Then that wistful look leaves her eyes and she says she has evolved after being here for 20 years. She loves Daisies & Olives, chicken and dumplings, the hills, PI, the kinfolks, pick-up trucks, biscuits and gravy, her sweet little dog, her three children and her grandkids…all 14 of them! Francine understands all aspects of junking. She’s rather an expert about vintage things, particularly clothing and fashion. She struts her stuff at D&O in her booth called “Granny Frannie’s,” where she sells a lot of kitchen items and has recently started adding some painted furniture. You’re gonna like this southern belle!

 

In addition to these people, you can expect to meet vendors popping in and out of the store to stock booths. It’s a cast of characters around this place!