Can't believe it's fall already!  Where does the time go?  Must admit that I feel a great sense of relief at having the hot weather behind us.

Three of my sisters and myself took off last week and drove to Door County, Wisconsin.  We love it there and it didn't let us down this time either.  We stay in a lovely home with a fireplace and just relax.  Of course, there is some antiquing done both during the trip and while in Door County.

It's so much fun to antique where they have sleds, skates, snow shoes, cranberry buckets, and items more difficult to find around here.  Again, we had not one spare inch of space coming home.  We've all gone to smaller cars so we're going to have to figure out something.

Now that I'm home, I'm trying to make some Christmas things for resale.  I worked on a few things in the car as we drove.

I know....they don't look like much now but they will when I'm finished.

My front porch....

Zippety doo dah, zippety a......

Such a beautiful day on my back porch.  Having a difficult time getting to work.  It's cool and leaves are falling like crazy.  Love mornings like this and you have to take advantage of them.....they don't last long.

Our trip to Wisconsin couldn't have been better (unless we'd had a truck to haul more).  The weather was perfect -- cool and crisp.  We had one rainy, drizzly day but even that was pleasant.  We just shopped in the drizzle.  We had the fireplace on anytime we were in the house and they had several cozy throws so we could set outside with our coffee and look at Lake Michigan (actually Green Bay).

It's just the most beautiful place and all we had on the agenda was resting, sleeping, eating, sightseeing, antiquing, and more eating.  We stocked our frig so we could eat in when we wanted but we certainly took advantage of the local eateries.....no franchises there!

Mary fixed hot dogs on the grill.....

This was down the street from our house.....downtown Fish Creek....

A park in Egg Harbor.  It also has one of our favorite eateries.....

There are so many hydrangeas and no one is picking them.....

  Mary.....standing on the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away.....

 Me, too.....

 This is one of many lighthouses on the peninsula.  This one is at Peninsula State Park....

 Judy standing in front of the lighthouse....

It was just a wonderful trip and think we all feel revived and renewed (and I needed it).  Managed to find some wonderful things for Leola's Christmas Open House.  Now I have to mark it all and come up with a decorating plan.  Better get busy!

Have a wonderful week!

Trip to Door Co., Wisconsin.....

What a wonderful week we had!  Judy, Jean and I drove through Iowa and Wisconsin to spend a few days in one of our favorite places.....Door County.  We had wonderful weather and the leaves were on their way to being turned.

Our first stop was in Fairfax, Iowa, where our friend, Barbara, was having her yearly fall sale.  She has an amazing store that she calls the Rabbit Hole and things were strung out all over her yard and in outbuildings.  We couldn't buy large pieces but our goal was to find items for our Holiday Open House at Leola's.....and that we did!

I kind of got into blue transferware while Judy was buying up all the brown transferware that wasn't too expensive.  We found some wonderful pieces plus Judy bought some amazing vintage blown glass ornaments.  So we started packing the car on the first day out.

The next day we made it to Door County.  We stayed in the village of Fish Creek less then a block from Lake Michigan.  It was cool and crisp and smelled of wood smoke.

 

The moon appeared our first night and treated us to its beauty for the next four nights.  It was breathtaking over the lake.

 



One of our many favorite things to do is go to the fish boil at the beautiful White Gull Inn.  It was very cold that night and you're seated outside to watch the actual fish boil.

 

They put the fish & potatoes in the big pot and when it starts boiling over, it's ready and you go inside to eat.  It's honestly a wonderful dinner and the inn is so quaint.

After dinner we walked back under the light of the moon to our house.  There's never a time when you feel it's unsafe to walk in the dark or down a deserted road. 

We always have to eat at least once in Bailey's Harbor at this well-known eatery.

It was just a wonderful trip and we all felt like we were coming home with a good attitude and anxious to get started with the preparations for the coming holiday season.  When you're in retail you have to stay ahead of things.

Have a wonderful week!

A quiet, rainy day.......

It's raining in my world today and I'm so grateful.  City Utilities has been replacing gas lines in our neighborhood (thank you) for the last few weeks and it's left our yards with no grass and only this fine, dry dirt that just blows around.  I've tried to water but it's been hot so it doesn't last long.  I'm certain that all those with allergies are having a terrible time.  My windows have been open so needless to say, I need to dust.

 



Judy, Jean, and I are taking off on Sunday and headed to Door County, Wisconsin, for a very relaxing few days.  We've been there several times and love it, especially in the fall.....

 

 



We're staying in Fish Creek and no, there won't be snow on the ground but we love this little grocery store which is right around the corner from our cottage.  It's fun to run in here and pick up a sandwich and a bottle of wine for dinner.  It's such a quaint, pretty little village.

 

 

It's just a beautiful area in the on Lake Michigan that makes you feel like you're on Cape Cod....

 

 

I'm pulling out the flannel shirts and sweaters since the temps are to be in the 50's.  May even take my Uggs! 

 

I love taking projects to work on.  I've never had an issue with carsickness so since Judy is driving her new Jeep, I can even sew in the car (I'm sure she'll love all the little pieces of wool and thread left behind)!!!!

 

 

Haven't decided if I'll take the laptop or not.  The camera will be with me at all times and if I pack the laptop, I'll show pictures.  If not, I'll post them when we get home.

 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week.

 

 





It's getting there......

I know, I have been MIA.  Besides having a sinus/cold thingy (technical term), I've worked like crazy trying to get the weeds from the garden before they become large, out of control weeds.  I sold my tiller because it was too hard to manage so it's having to be done my hand.  There seem to be a lot of gardeners who think the no-till method of gardening is the best.  You don't stir up all those weed seeds buried deep in your dirt.  Anyway, it's just waiting now.....

I have a few onions that have come back from last fall and that green in the back is mint that I use in my tea and mojitoes.  We're having a cool couple of days and then it's warming again (hopefully, for good).

I love arugula and especially love how easy it is to grow.  It just keeps coming back.  These are plants left from last year.

The chives and lavender plants are looking so good.  Thinkin' I might make a baked potato for dinner and sprinkle with these tender, mild chives.

Yesterday I cleaned out the hostas and after raining last night, I swear they grew 2".

 

 

So proud of my tomato starts.  They finally have 4 leaves (on some).  They just take a long time to grow but they're looking strong.

 



If you look close, you're see the shiny little basil leaves coming on.

Finally had an auction to attend on Saturday.  It's been a long spell since I've found an auction to attend.  It's really hard to find early primitives in this part of the country but look what I found......

These are wonderful, early prim baskets.  Don't know if I can bare to sell them.

Great old crock with bale and lid.....

I have 3 of the early herb shelves but this is the largest one so far.  She's a beauty!

Also found some great old ticking feather pillows and an ironstone slop jar.  I think that's what it is but it doesn't have a bale so not certain.  Anyway, it would be wonderful for lots of uses.  I'll wash it well before I take it to Leola's.

Hope everyone has a good Wednesday.  Take care and pray for spring.