It's the most wonderful time of the year…. time for Buttershots with Heather and her holiday merry-makers at Homegrown Hettie's.
According to Matt Tolson, who's working his second season on the wreathing crew, "If you cross the threshold into the greenhouse, you have to drink a shot." He says he mostly tries to hang outside and talk to the women from the doorway.
Cindy is back from retirement to help Heather out this year, and was tending the bow-making apparatus. New to the wreath-making biz is Jen Buday, who had just assembled her second wreath. The first one was beautiful, she said, and then "It all fell apart." Learning a new skill is fun!
I asked my walking partner to turn today's exercise into a trip to the nip bar, and she didn't disappoint. We drank two shots of butterscotch schnapps in the few minutes we were there, which is why this story has little substance and all the "quotes" are paraphrased. That's okay, the back story is here, in an article I wrote about these busy elves in 2012. They've been spreading seasonal cheer on the island for over two decades – nothing says Ocracoke Christmas more than freshly-cut cedar. Mmmmm, the smell is heavenly. And the schnapps is tasty.
You can order your own wreath (in sizes XS to XL) by texting or calling Heather at 252-588-0052. Or just stop by for a nip – they love visitors!
