At the historic Phelps homeplace, in Jamestown, Kentucky, owned by Mary's sister, Nancy Phelps, the new Esto Arts Center premiered with a "Holiday Showcase" featuring Kentucky local fine craft and art.

Unique gift items of soaps and lotions, jewelry, decorated gourds, pottery, hand-blown glass, candles woodwork, fine art, watercolors, and oil paintings were featured, attracting visitors from several surrounding counties.

The Phelps homestead was settled in 1798, by Mary and Nancy's fifth great grandfather, Shadrack Phelps, whose father John Quincy Phelps served in Boonesboro with Daniel Boone. The first home was a log cabin, built near a natural spring, which still exists.

Mary and JJ took a welcome break from horse shows, following the snowstorm that hit the eastern United States, to string garland and lights on the front porch, overlooking the frozen fishing pond.

Watch out for our HorsesDaily Marketplace in 2003, where we will be featuring more "great finds" from our travels. We made some exciting discoveries this weekend, which will be featured for our readers in the months to come.

Meanwhile if you are stuck for ideas for Christmas, we can ship special gift baskets (made in a local Amish community) with a selection of soaps and lotions (great stuff for the weather weary riders), candles, and Aunt Nan's jellies and candles, beginning at $50. E-mail this weekend and we'll take care of your shopping chores, with one of a kind items made with talent and a lot of heart.

E-mail - Mary at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .