Antique Archaeology was Closed

I think I told you we went

on a buying trip to Iowa

this past weekend.

Well, you cannot hardly drive from

Illinois to Iowa without planning to 

stop by Mike and Frank's shop,

Antique Archaeology.

(You know.... from the History Channel's hit TV series.) 

Photo courtesy of the History Channel

We planned to get there earlier on Saturday

but we ran by the Junk Jubilee

one more time and then headed to 

 a little town called Story City, 

just north of Des Moines,

and spent a few hours at

 a great antique mall there

called Carousel Antique Mall.

Stop by if you are ever in the area.

Great finds and a wonderful friendly staff!

So ... we did not get to Le Claire

until almost 7 pm.

We new they would be closed.

 But we couldn't resist checking it out

and taking some photos.

Did you know they are right on

the mighty Mississippi River?

Their front window view looks

right out onto the river.

(Is it just me or did you think they

were located out on a rural country road?)

Location, location, location!

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com

Nice little shop.

Wish we could have met

Frank, or Danielle or Mike.

Maybe next time.

:)

Unlikely Friends

Do you remember the story

of the tortoise and the hare?

Always one of my favorites.

Slow and steady 
wins the race every time.

Cute old vintage artwork.

Had not really thought about it
for a long time.


But then over the weekend

my daughter and I were out shopping

and we walked into one of our

 favorite pet shops in the city

 where we used to take the kids  

 when they were very small.

Completely did not expect to see

this most uncommon sight.

A most unlikely pair

sharing a nesting area in an

old open closet within the shop.

The tortoise's name is Betty, and the lop-eared rabbit's name is Holly.

Close up of Holly... she weighs 18 pounds! Can you believe it?

This tortoise is a breed from Ethiopia, an African Spurred Tortoise.
(See Holly in the background... napping.)

Can you believe they share their
food and their living space?


Remarkable.

Holly has such a sweet disposition.

Betty likes to go to the beach at Lake Michigan to bask in the sun,
they told us.... in the warm summer months.

Both of these animals
lived with their owners until
Betty got too big and the family 
that had her felt they 
could not keep her any longer.


Holly's family moved  
and could not take her with them.


They are both orphans 
of the pet shop now,
but they have become so much more.


They have become the best of friends.



They do not seem to be in any
hurry to get anywhere. No races here!
Just happy enjoying each other's
company and all the attention
the pet shop employees and visitors provide.


Thought I would share
this unique friendship
with you.

The end!


(Heading off tomorrow morning 
to attend the Junk Jubilee
in Des Moines tomorrow. 
Are any of you 
planning to attend as well?
Maybe I will see you there!)

Get your front doors ready!

Pinterest

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Are you ready to greet the season?

Spring has sprung.

Have you put some 

spring in your step --- 

or rather 

on your step?

(Your front door step?)

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Well, don't forget

 on May 1st at the

Favorites on the First

linky party, the theme this

month will be sharing your

favorite front door decor.

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Show us what you've got!

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Please remember to stop by 

on the 1st

and link up your favorite 

new or old posts

on front door decor. 

Cannot wait to see what

you have to share with all of us.

Feel free to invite your friends 

to join the party.

The more the merrier 

and everyone is welcome.

See you then!

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Benchmarked

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decorpad.com

There are just

some spots in your home,

where you just cannot find

the perfect piece of furniture to fit.

And when that happens....

it's nice when you can bring in

your trusty carpenter to build 

something perfect for you.

Take a peek at some of these

fantastic built-ins that 

make the room.

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Some of these make me
want to grab a book or a magazine
and just get comfy 
and settle in for hours in them.


Do they effect you that way too?

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Do you have a built-in 

bench seat or window seat

in your home?

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If so, do you take time to enjoy it?

Wish List

1stdibs.com

Keep running across

equine-themed items while

planning for this Derby party

I am staging.


(Can you imagine this bronze
vase filled with red roses? Too bad
 it sold while I was dreaming about it.)

Some things are new

and some are old.

Some just caught my eye

and have absolutely nothing
to do with entertaining at all.

The Saratoga Trims from Highland Court

Decoupage Glass Tray from Horse and Hound

Like Rebecca Ray's summer bags. 
They are just gorgeous! 
Love her style.

The Summer Trapper by Rebecca Ray Designs

The "Linda" handbag by Rebecca Ray Designs  

An equestrian pillow from TheEnchantedHome

Lots of pretty things
to be found.
What did we ever do
without the internet?

Horsehead Ice Bucket from Vagabond House

To see THE most gorgeous horse trophy ever --- click here!

RL Leather Napkin Rings

Sweet little plaid flask from Saxon Gifts

(I know.....so predictable. 

Had to throw some plaid in there.)

Original antique print c.1841  from George Glazer Gallery

Horse Cane (link) 

Thanks for stopping by today.
Always so nice to see you here!
:)