If You Haven't Been to Sister's-You Are Missing It!

I know I have mentioned Sister's Garden in Kalona Iowa before, but I never get tired of it. On our way to Cedar Rapids, we always stop in at Sister's Garden & Bloom. The displays are to die for. If you see something you like in these photos, it is probably too late---GONE!!!!I mean, hey, these pictures are a month old! The creativity and display skills are like none other. A true inspiration. Enjoy the show---I always do! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!

It doesn't matter if you are inside or outside! You never know where to start looking. I can't wait to go back. I wonder what I'm missing--I wish I lived closer!

Until next time,

Pam

RED FRIDAY

This sign says it all! For this RED FRIDAY--I'm going to slow down a little. I let this sign get away--I should have bought it. Hope everyone has a great day! In the last two months, we have set up at 7 shows, and put over 4,000 miles on the old body. I'm feeling it! So I'm going to slow down if even for one day. Take time to smell the roses!

Until next time

Pam

Labadie Missouri was the new Windy City!

What a great setting for an outdoor antique show. Dawn and Betsey, along with Barb of "The Tin Rabbit" went out of their way to bring this show back. And it worked! Ten years later. Great dealers, lots of buying customers and sunshine. If the wind would have settled down, it would have been perfect. But at least no rain! This is the lovely farmhouse. The show was on the lawn.

This was our next door neighbor--Eric Nichols--He has fabulous items...always.

The start of smalls--the wind limited what we could all do as far as being creative!

Ironstone and shutters underneath the farm table. The whole area was on a hillside!

This little homemade piece was great--and it sold! It was made of wooden cheese boxes. It's now going to be a jewelry box!

Great birdhouses! And the rug sold!

Sorry- a repeat picture.

Just another angle!

We had a great show, the farmhouse is now "The Tin Rabbit" shop. People coming and going all day. I'm starting to really like one day shows. Better go for now.

Until next time,

Pam

RED FRIDAY

On our way to Sycamore, Illinois last weekend we stopped in Litchfield at "The Ariston Cafe" for lunch. It has been in business sind 1924. I loved the bar stools at the counter as well as the booths with the wood cutwork. We talked to the owner whose father opened the restaurant. We asked him if he minded if we took some pictures. ( I was thinking of Red Friday!) He said of course not--go right ahead. Then we asked him if he was interested in selling the barstools--his return comment was--"Sure I'll sell them to you, along with the keys and entire contents of the restaurant!" Ha-Ha. I had the best fried chicken in along time. Old fashioned fried chicken--it doesn't get any better than that!

You can't see it very good, but under the table is would cutouts.

Another shot of the booths--for skinny people!

A whole row of bar stools.

The one stool turned--it has a mind of it's own!

Enjoy Red Friday! And check out my buddy Tricia's blog--she started Red Friday! (http://www.thereddoorantiques.blogspot.com/) She's headed to Brimfield--I haven't talked to her in a few days so I'd better be checking in! We are headed to Labadie, Missouri for a one day show. I'm looking forward to it--I can honestly say, this has not been a fun week. Better go for now.

Until next time,

Pam

Historical Homes in Sycamore, Illinois

If there is one thing we love to do, it's look at old homes. Every town that we go to for a show gets a drive-by! Some of the pictures might be a bit blurred, or you might see the truck window or antenna, but you can still see the beauty of the home. All of these homes were on the same street in Sycamore, Illinois. I could easily live in any of them! Enjoy the house tour.

Each house has it's own personality. Colorful, well-maintained, simply beautiful. I wonder if the inside is just as beautiful? Probably so.....

Better go for now,

But....as I go, I cannot believe and I cannot get over the devistation in Nashville. We were just at Opryland at the Heart of Country Show. I cannot believe the beautiful Opryland Hotel is under water, along with Opry Mills, and the Grand Ole Opry. I guess that means that Caney Fish Camp, Fiddlers, the Sports Bar--all of that is under water. I remember the devistation in our town of Alton, Illinois when the Flood of 93 hit. Unreal. So many great memories of all of those places. It will take time, money and alot of work, but I'm sure it will all be okay. I've been worried about Scarlett Scales and her shop in nearby Franklin, TN. Anyone know? Our shop wasn't in water in 93, but we closed for a month because you couldn't get to it! Just goes to show all of us, we don't call the shots. Only God does.

Until next time,

Pam

The One That Got Away--Why Did I Let It Happen!

I love this retro Bar! What was I thinking. The price was right, and I did the "Let me think about it". I think I didn't think Gary was cracked up about it, he never cares--he knows I have a customer or display in mind when an unusual piece like this comes around. When he told me the bar was sold and gone, I was almost sick. Perfect condition. I've never seen one like it. Would have been great in a 1950's display in our storefront window, or in the entertainment section of the shop at the holidays. Well, not now. I waited to "think about it" and I let it get away. I'm just sick!
I showing more pictures from the show in Sycamore--things that caught my eye.

Wild chairs!

Are they funky or what!

Not only chairs, but a wild table!

Fabulous fountain--didn't last long!

As you can see, there was a vast assortment of needables and wantables at the show. I'll post more pictures soon!

Until next time,

Pam

Blumen Gardens in Sycamore Illinois--in FULL BLOOM!

The whole setting of an antique show at Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, Illinois is beautiful. The Blumen Gardens is a garden and nursery hotspot in the bustling town nestled in an old warehouse. So the charm of brick floors and walls just adds to the look. I am showing some pictures of our booth. I'll have alot more to post of other great merchandise and homes in the town. Gary is batting 1,000--everything we bought while antiquing on our way was sold at the show. Maybe we should leave with an empty truck and save all of the loading and planning!
One end of our booth--1940's rattan set, the flowers from Blumen Gardens. The owners let you use their plants and flowers in your displays. How great is that!

I love the old trellis and wood lawn chair.

Raggedy Andy is resting on the old scooter!

Signs and smalls.

More smalls at the other end of our booth.

Old iron plant stand with ironstone.

Great old small Roadmaster bicycle handing on a door.

I'll post more, but it's getting late and I've had about enough fun for one full weekend!

Until next time,

Pam