Picture-perfect day......

It is the most beautiful day in the Ozarks.  Sitting on my backporch, sipping coffee and catching up on all the blogs.  We decided to come home a day early from our adventure in Tennessee and so glad we did.....there's no place like home.

We left on Thursday to go to the City Farmhouse pop-up Barn Sale right outside of Franklin.  We had early tickets on Friday morning for breakfast and early shopping.  What a gorgeous place it was.....

That's sisters, Judy & Jean, coming from the barn.

We could hardly keep from buying pumpkins and gourds there but hated to take up our precious space with these when hopefully, we can find them here.  We just don't have those wonderful roadside markets that they had there.  Never understood that but will check with our farmer's mkt.

Luckily, Judy had remembered her shopping cart because I walked right off without mine.  We had to make a few trips to the Suburban.  We were also fortunate to get a front row parking space with our early bird tickets.  Here's my first purchase from When Pigs Fly Again.

 I could have cleared her area out.....amazing.  Check out her FB page too.  She loves what she does and it shows.

 This was Judy Hill's area and she came here from Round Top with the help of her husband.  This is hard work but when you love what you do, it's not as difficult.  Her bedding is gorgeous.

 Lost track of who's areas these were.  It was hard for me to remember to take pictures because I was so into the shopping.

It was a fun, beautiful show and so worth the trip.  I'll try to post later this week about the rest of the trip.  We went to another little town down the road from Franklin called Lieper's Fork where they were having a city-wide sale.  That's where Mike from The Pickers lives and they were set up there.  I'll try to get my pictures ready and maybe get my treasures unpacked.....can't wait! 

Have a great Sunday!

Check us out in Vintage Style magazine.....

So excited to see the magazine that my sisters (Judy & Linda), niece Kelli and myself are in.  We've waited since last fall to see it actually in print.  We're so excited about it and couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. 

It was a wonderful 4th of July this year.  The weather was incredible....warm enough for the pool during the day but needed a light jacket in the evenings.  Just went to Judy's in the country and ate ribs, baked beans and slaw.....almost sick when I came home.  We set and visited with Judy's grandkids and sons and then looked at pictures and scrapbooks that Judy has of our mom's.  Mom saved every card she ever received and if she were still living, she would be 105.  She had Christmas cards from during WW2 and they are very patriotic.  Judy assured us that lots of people sent that kind of a card during wartime.

Judy and I made a quick trip to St. Louis this weekend to bring her grandson home from his uncle's house.  We had so much fun even though it was only for a very short time.  It was great seeing Shad's and Rob's house and their wonderful landscaping.  Their whole neighborhood is beautifully landscaped and well maintained.  Why is it that some areas take such pride in their homes and maintaining them while so many let their lawns grow, never pull a weed or set out a flower.  It doesn't have much to do with how expensive the homes are either.....seems to have more to do with the soul of the neighborhood.  Every neighbor that walked past their house while we were sitting on the porch looked up and spoke.  I was shocked!  So many in my neighborhood act like they're afraid of speaking.  Rob had watched the neighbor's house while they were out-of-town so we enjoyed a strawberry-rhubarb pie for desert as their "thank-you".  Wish I could find a neighborhood like that!

We did a little antiquing but didn't find many bargains.  Ate at some wonderful restaurants and headed back home the next morning.  Whew!!!!

I've had company the last couple of days and stayed really busy trying to keep everything watered.  Sooooo hot during the day but nice on the back porch this morning after a little shower. 

Think I'll go check that one zucchini and see if I can pick it yet.

Have a great "rest of the week".

Great road trip.....

Linda, Judy, Jean and I just got back from a road trip to Iowa.  We came home thoroughly and completely exhausted but with lots of treasures.  It was cool most mornings but by noon it was hot, hot, hot.  We stayed the 3 nights in Bonaparte because we love the Bonaparte Inn but probably next time, we'll stay closer to where we like to shop.  First and foremost, we love Simply Iowa, Barb Conner's shop and known by most as the rabbit hole.  This is her blog and I've loved following her for years.  She's just an amazing talent and after you see the following pictures, I'm sure you'll agree.

Barb, watering some of her many plants.  Behind her is her truck that she drives all over finding great "stuff" and delivering what she sells.  She works harder then any person I know.  Some days I just have to take a nap from reading her blog.

Now we're going to enter the Rabbit Hole.....

This is what she's done over the entryway door.....

Sorry this one is so fuzzy because it's the most amazing mirror you've ever seen.  Sorry....it's already sold.

We bought several things from her but my very favorite is a painted early, early chest that I have wanted since first visiting her shop (several years ago).  Every time I go I tell Barb how much I love it.  It's like it's waited for me.  Well, this time she gave me a deal I couldn't refuse and we had enough room so it came home with me.  Didn't have the energy to get a picture this morning but will post it one day soon.  So happy!

We actually got to set down with Barb and visit for awhile.  She's one of those that I would never have known if it weren't for blogging.  So grateful for the opportunity.  Thanks for a great visit, Barb.  Now it's your turn to come visit us.

Garage is empty......

It's the dawn of a new day and my garage is clean.  What a relief that is.  I sold everything except one table & a few little things but Allison will take those to her house for her garage sale.  Now I'm finding myself thinking about going antiquing -- somebody stop me!!!!!

Stella is coming to spend the weekend so better get going.  My garden is looking great. Think I'll go pick my dinner.  Thank heavens for a sunny day.

Have a great weekend!

Miss Frenchie's show and shopping in K.C.

On Friday morning 4 of us loaded up and headed to KC for Miss Frenchie's sale that began Fri. evening at 5:00. We also wanted to see the Country Club Plaza which is always decorated beautifully for the holidays. They must have at least a dozen horse-drawn carriages giving rides in the evening and the streets are bustling with shoppers, diners and sight-seers. It felt like Christmas.

It's hard to make out the decorations inside Anthropologie but they had made huge white tissue flowers that looks like snowballs.
Here are Jane, Judy and Brenda inside Mission Antique Mall. It's one of our favorite places to shop even though it gets slower everytime we go and the clerks don't see to be fazed by their slowness. The tearoom was the same and always is incredibly slow. We were trying to get lunch over quickly because Brenda had a family emergency but it took forever. Seems there are so many places anymore that treat you like they're doing you a favor when we were the ones spending the money with them. Am I ranting again?

The Plaza lights through our windshield.

These are a few pictures from the antique mall.

These are pictures from our Friday evening at Miss Frenchie's. It was a beautiful show and we found lots of treasures.

One of the first people I ran into was Elizabeth Maxson from St. Louis. Usually she has an area at this show but she didn't set up but was taking pictures. She sometimes has articles in Romantic Homes plus she has a blog that is certainly worth checking out. Her MIL, Diane, shops with us at Leola's and has become a good friend.

Linda and Ludmil from Texas were also at the show and their area was great. Tomorrow I'll try to show some of the treasures I found.

This was part of Curious Sofa's area. Would have loved to take more pictures in her area but they had food & drinks set up there so needless to say, it was pretty crowded.

Here is Linda looking like she was straight out of Dr. Zhivago. It was very cool inside this old barn & the furnace wasn't working very well.

These are Linda's bottles that were so cute. I bought a couple for Allison.

There was so much vintage Christmas. I bought some things at the Rusty Chandelier. They have a wonderful store in St. Joe that I love to go to.

We're having a little rain and snow today but will somehow escape the big snowstorm that will hit north of us. Looks like all of our friends in Iowa are going to get a big one. Think I'll go check on Sharon at Sweet Repose and see if she's snowed in yet in the pink chalet.

The Christmas decorating has begun...

It has been one of those cold blustery days today. A good day to be able to stay inside and do some decorating. Haven't made much progress but have I ever made a mess. I made a fire early and it's strange how I keep sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee and Christmas magazines. To tell you the truth, I haven't had much inspiration. I did find the picture in Country Living that I used in my header. Loved that house.
This is my tree that I do every year with vintage ornaments. They aren't all on yet but I needed a break. I've already decided to not get so much out this year. Seems everyone is feeling that way. I would much rather decorate with more naturals and do some paperwhites.

Sage and I have a deer collection and this is some of it. He keeps most of the plastic ones at his house and I'm responsible for the breakable ones (not sure that's such a good idea).

Guess I'd better get back to my job. The chili is on and I'm expecting a guest later. Brenda is staying tonight and we're going to take a little trip with Judy and Jane to KC for the Miss Frenchie show. We all are so excited. We are staying on the Country Club Plaza so we can see all the lights and decorations. Maybe I'll come back inspired so I can get this job done.

Lunch at Casper's.......

Today was a gorgeous day in Springfield and as much as I needed to stay home and start working on my knee-deep leaves, I was lured out by the promise of chili. This year Casper's is celebrating it's 100th year in Springfield. You heard that right -- 100 years! It's been in several locations but has always served chili. I had the Frito pie and it was yummy. Judy and Kristy had chili and cheeseburgers. They seat you at big tables and we ended up sitting with 3 guys. They were a riot and we laughed our way through lunch. Maybe that's why we didn't have indigestion.
This is some of the artwork inside the old metal building.

They have a huge collection of chalkware and this is just part of it. Go figure!!!!

After we finished lunch we decided to head downtown to the STD flea mkt. I swear I'm not teasing you, that's its name. There are actually 2 of them. It stands for Springfield Tool & Die but I'm sure it scares some potential customers off. I just never use the restroom.

OK, I haven't shown g'kids pictures lately but had to show these. The girls got out of school early yesterday so I picked them up and we went to the park (after Chick fil a) and played for awhile. Quentin, Sage's friend, was out too so he came along. His Mom, Natasha, was helping Allison in her classroom so Quentin was bored. He was also a little bored with my picture-taking.

We've had such incredible weather for November but think it's suppose to come to an end this weekend. Guess I'd better get started on those leaves.

We're off on another adventure...

Judy, Jean, Brenda & myself are taking off tomorrow for a little antiquing trip. I'm a little concerned about driving everyone crazy with my cough but not concerned enough to stay home. They may make me get a room to myself. Tomorrow night we're staying in Bonaparte, Iowa, at the Bonaparte Inn but from there, who knows. We're going to see Barb from Simply Iowa blog & then try to find that Sharon from Sweet Repose who keeps moving around. She's in a shop in the Amana Colonies where we're wanting to go and we also want to check out Mt. Vernon.

I'll take lots of pictures and if possible, may even post on the road. The leaves should be gorgeous and it's definitely fall weather. They even had some snow in Iowa today but Barb assured us it has melted.

While I'm gone, by brother-in-law, Mike, is coming to paint my house. I can't wait to come home and see it brown after it's been blue for so long. Then in about 2 wks. I'm having wood flooring put down in my great room & hall way. My nephew, Denny, came & measured for me & the stores he works for are going to do it. I'm so excited. I've wanted to do this forever. I'm so grateful to Mike for always being there for me. Don't know what I'd do without him & Susan.

Talk to you in a few days.

Shane's & Nicole's wedding.....

Last weekend on a perfect fall evening, my nephew Shane, Judy & Danny's son, married Nicole. It was a very simple, beautiful wedding. They have together 4 children and it appears the transition is working very well.

This is a picture of the big ole harvest moon that came out along with 6 to 8 deer. Their land is so pretty and they have so much wildlife. They feed the deer so they don't do as much damage to vegetation around the house.
This is Shane & son Eli, who was his best man. Nicole is coming across the lawn with her Dad.

I had to take pictures of Judy's house because it always looks so great.

She's stacked an old brown cabinet on top of a white chest in her living room. She has lots of wall space and needs big, tall pieces of furniture so that's how she does it. She just keeps stacking.

They have a circle drive at the front of their house & a brick walkway. She always makes the front so inviting. If you remember, this was my little orange settee. Judy bought it from me for her front yard. It's perfect.

Our leaves are turning quickly and there's a chill in the air. Tonight it is pouring down rain. I've been on the couch for 2 days feeling really lousy. Some of us plan to jump into the car on Sunday & take a little antiquing trip. We're planning on going to visit some of our blogging friends and maybe finding a few things. Christmas open house is just around the corner.