A Heart-Grabber

Possibly my favorite find on our recent trip.

weathered and worn...

...with a terra cotta top

...on a cast iron base

....sigh...

(I'll show you where I found her in my next post.)

March 1st...A Glorious Day in Milwaukee

 60's, sunshine, oodles of green,

fragrant blossoms....ah, spring...

...inside the Mitchell Park Domes.

Outside? Well, not so much.

Is It Spring Yet??

Sadly, not here!  Snow is falling...again.

But I did find this yesterday.

 It's an old canvas soaker hose

(See those tulips in the background?

I couldn't resist bringing them home from Trader Joe's)

The hose is all wound up on a chippy green reel.

I can hardly wait for "gardening season".

More Photos From Northwind

Wow - where did last week go?  Between business and some family time, I haven't had a moment to post. Sadly, there hasn't been time to read recent posts from favorite bloggers, either.  There is some serious catchin' up to be done around here!  Here are some more photos from the show.

Another view of our booth

 

We enjoyed meeting Mindy from Vintage Nest

Her shop is in Glenview IL and I can't wait

to visit one day

   

The Chippy Shabby booth was wonderful...as always!

 

It was a fun show and we enjoyed seeing some of our regulars including Catherine, Jill & Chloe, Terry & family from Daddios Diner and Sue T.  

It was great to meet Lu from Sadie 'n Stella and our neighbor Jamie from Hollyhock Garden Antiques.

I'll apologize in advance as I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, but we sincerely appreciate all who stopped by.

 

I'll leave you with a few more photos of the grounds, and we'll see you at Elkhorn this weekend.

Northwind Perennial Farm Antique & Garden Sale

What's got 7 chippy trellises, 6 tool and tackle boxes, 5 small fence sections, 4 shabby plant stands, 3 vintage kiddie chairs, 2 concrete urns, and 1 giant swan?  

My van of course, loaded for the Northwind show this Friday and Saturday.  More photos coming soon!

June 5 & 6 - Kane County Flea Market - Preview #2

Smile!  We're bringing our collection of vintage cameras...

...and old clay pots with "chalkboard" label space.  

Change the label whenever you feel like it

or apply a finish coat to make it permanent.

Of course we're bringing loads more...

feed sacks, primitives, hardware, ephemera.

Look for us in the "old" sheep building...

I promise you, it won't be baaaa'd. 

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Re-Post Mr. Melvin Miller's Marvelous Gardenscape

**This entry was originally posted last summer. I was thinking today that I need to get some annuals planted and remembered how much I enjoyed seeing Mr Miller's gardens.  

 Whizzing down busy Hwy 50 near Bristol, Wisconsin, my attention was diverted by a line of cars parked along the shoulder. Every good treasure hunter knows that a lot of cars can be an indicator of a sale, and so I slowed down to check it out. Sure enough, at the end of the driveway was a "rummage sale" sign.

The Riverport Chorus of the Sweet Adelines were holding a fund-raising rummage at the home of one of their members. As I walked up the driveway I was captivated by the landscape. Outbuildings sported white paint and were trimmed in the cheeriest red. Lush foilage surrounded the buildings and red pots were hung from the white siding. Everywhere I turned was another beautiful feature.

After finding a few items to purchase, I asked if I could take some snapshots. One of the Sweet Adelines, directed me to the hostess of the sale, Mrs. Miller. She readily gave permission and pointed out her husband. I spent a few pleasant minutes chatting with him. Mr. Miller is the type of person you think of when you hear the word "Grandpa". Friendly, unpretentious and happy to answer questions, he told me that he's spent the past eight years transforming the property into what it is today. He spends each morning watering and maintaining his plants, strictly for the enjoyment of himself and his family.

There are gardeners everywhere who toil as Mr. Miller does, not to impress others, but simply because they enjoy the process as well as the results. As I left the sale that day, I knew that the real treasure I'd found wasn't what I had purchased, but the opportunity to meet Mr. Miller and enjoy his handiwork.

Garden Ornaments - Two Favorites

We are always on the hunt for fun things to offer our customers. While gathering items for our booth at the Elkhorn Antique Flea Market this Sunday, we ran across two garden statues that we picked up earlier this summer.



This cherubic little guy holding a dolphin is probably at least 100 years old, and shows his age. The dolphin was a symbol of resurrection used by the early Christians. It's been used by many cultures and religions since then, usually denoting positive qualities. The details and proportions are 'just right'. Notice the shells around the base. This piece would fit equally well in a classic or cottage garden.




The little mid-century elf, on the other hand, is pure kitsch. He's cartoonish rather than classic. You'll never find anything like this in the gardens of Biltmore, and yet there's something endearing about him. He'll make you smile.




These two little statues have little in common and yet illustrate the fact that gardens are very personal. Whether you prefer a well-manicured formal garden, a hodge-podge of plants that you love, or an easy-going cottage garden, it will be different than any other. Ornament it however you like! Kitsch or classy, you'll never be wrong.

Wacky Wednesday - Cosmos, America & Rooms for Tourists

Wednesday seems like a good landing pad for random thoughts. Here they come:

Cosmos - Cosmos are the perfect species for a cottage garden. They are happy outside, without too much attention. Happy inside, plunked in a simple vase. Even though my 'cottage' happens to be a side-by-side condo, I have plenty of room for flowers. This year there are Cosmos and Black-eyed Susans. Cosmos and Coneflowers. Cosmos and Russian Sage... they go with everything in my purple-pink-white-yellow color scheme. They have just reached the height where I can see them out of my sunroom window. And they make me happy.


America - I love America! If there is a flag at an estate sale, chances are it's coming home with me. Red white & blue is a perfect color combo and there is always a patriotic collection on display here somewhere. When I see the flag I'm reminded of those who have sacrificed in order for us to have freedom. Freedom to be ourselves. Freedom to try and achieve the impossible. Freedom. I have never been so concerned about the loss of our freedoms as I am right now. The government that was formed to allow us to work toward our dreams has become the government of 'sit back and let us take care of you'.

I don't believe that the government owning our manufacturers is a good thing. I don't know of anyone that got a job due to the 'stimulus' that we are paying for. And I certainly don't want the government dictating my healthcare. Think of the service you've received from any government agency. That's what we're in for, in every area that is taken over by our government. I'm letting my voice be heard by those who represent me.


Rooms for Tourists That phrase just threw me right back to my childhood. Riding up Highway 99 in the 60's in the back of a Ford, (with no seat belts mind you!), we passed countless little motels or 'motor courts'. When I found this sign at a sale last week I had to have it. The business cards that came with it added an extra dimension: 'Rooms for Tourists with Bath'. Tomorrow you can read a bit about this fun sale.