Antiques on the Farm

Today we headed out to a new antique spot

that we had heard a lot of great things about

to stock up for the antique shop.

We were heading out to Josie's Antiques,

located on a picturesque farm

 in central Illinois just west of Chicago, 

in a small town called Maple Park.

We pulled down a long tree-lined lane

to a bucolic homestead in a clearing.

We were a few minutes early,

but Josie, the owner,  sweetly welcomed us

with her dog by her side,

and told us to feel free to enter the sheds and barns.

As she said this, she ran back into her farmhouse

to pull the fresh baked cookies

she makes everyday for guests

 out of the oven.

 Mmmmm.

Two story barn full of antiques and the lower level is full of garden collectibles.

Her faithful companion takes a nap.

A little potting shed.

 

 

For over two hours, we managed

to get through a three level barn,

 and several sheds a few times each.

With so much to see, you'll need a few go-rounds.

So much fun!

We thought the prices were very reasonable

and there was something for every type of collector.

An added bonus ---- if you are an animal lover,

there were cats, a dog, goats, horses,

chickens and peacocks too!

So if you are in central Illinois,

make a point to go and shop with Josie!

You won't be sorry.

(Sixty miles or 1.5 hours west of Chicago)

 

Will show some of the things we bought

in another post soon!

 

Vintage Finds

Went to the shop

to "swirl" things around yesterday

with Jenn, my business partner,

and as we were walking

to get to our booth....

she spied this for me

in another dealer's booth.

One of the hazards of having an antique shop.... you find things to "keep", not sell!

It is a leather fire bucket or pail

and though it is old

it is an antique repro

that must have been made as a prop

for Brooks Brothers.

If you know anything about this Brooks Brothers pail, please let me know!

Such a great patina on the leather.... the strap broke when I carried it in!

Then we went later in the day

to a very small flea market.

I say "small" because the

clouds were gray all day

and many vendors did not show.

(Only 8 to be exact!)

But I found a couple goodies anyway.

As found...haven't tried to polish them yet.

An instant small trophy collection.

Isn't she lovely?

Another alabaster lamp!

No swirly bulbs for this one.

  

Have you found any goodies recently?

I'm linking up with Courtney

at French Country Cottage

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/feathered-nest-friday_28.html

and with Debra at Common Ground

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/07/vintage-inspiration-friday-48-day-sale.html

Fireflies

Dusk.

Last week I got the "bright" idea
to do a post on fireflies.


Well, it seems that when
it's 90+ degrees at night
they don't like the heat
anymore than you or I.

They were nowhere to be found!

But the rains came
and the temperatures dropped,
and they were out again blinking their way
through the cool night air.

animals.howthingswork.com

My kids are now

18 and almost 16.

When I told them

they "needed" to help me

 catch lightning bugs

for my blog....

well, you can guess their reactions.

But they agreed to help,

and as they were running around

and swatting at the little glowing buggers....

things began to change.

organicfertilizers.com

I heard laughing,

and giggling

and there was a little

bit of a competitive spirit

in the air.

Funny how

life's simple pleasures

can take you right back

to your inner child.

I think there was

a little magic in the air,

along with those

little twinkling lights.

The last one takes flight!

P.S.

 Sorry for the fuzziness of the photos.

Fireflies don't exactly stand still for the camera

and I am sure they could not

figure out what my camera flash was!

Hello lovely hydrangea.

I wish I had a picture

of the two old hydrangea trees

that flanked the centered sidewalk

of my grandparents

Victorian farmhouse.

They were small enough

that we could climb them

when we were little

without risking too much of a fall

 should we grab the wrong branch.

I remember how gorgeous they were in full bloom,

and how the giant blooms would turn pink in the fall.

Yesterday I posted

on my back porch and potted flowers 

and mentioned the blue hydrangea bush

that my friend just gave to me.

I Googled it
to see how and where I should plant it.
(What would we do without Google?
And yes, "googled" is a verb, at least in my world.)
:)

Did you know
there are 5 basic species varieties
of hydrangea?



1. 'Annabelle' hydrangea arborescens

Giant flowers measuring up to 12" across.

2. Lacecap hydrangeas

The lace-cap climbing hydrangea vine has yet to start budding.

3. Mophead hydrangeas

This variety has large flat petals..

4. Oakleaf hydrangeas

Their flowers are more conical in shape and their leaves resemble oak foliage.

5. PeeGee and family hydrangeas

These have a deciduous wood stem system and can form bushes and trees.

Close-up of Pee Gee blossoms on a tree.

 

 

 

Do you grow hydrangea
in your garden?