Last Week Friday

A week ago, THGGM, my aunt and I went to Greendale, WI to spend the morning shopping. One of my purchases was a 'Soups' cookbook. Making soup is MY kind of cooking! I've already found several recipes that I plan to try.

Greendale also has many charming little shops, and is a destination for a lot of bus trips. This year there was a group from Zeeland, MI. Nice to be shopping with a group of people who have that familiar 'dutch' look and who are also sniffing out bargains!

In the afternoon we went antique shopping. I'm not in the market for anything large and expensive. No. I have a garage FULL of that.

But, there are always things I'm on the look-out for. Things that I won't know that I want until I see them.

Like the mirror. THAT is EXACTLY the color I want my kitchen to be. I love the vintage look this kitchen has, so all I really want to change are the walls.

I've always thought the color was 'butter cream yellow' but know I know it is 'celluloid'.

Oh, and I'm always on the hunt for the yellow plaques. I haven't seen one in years, it seems. But, I remain ever hopeful.

Last Week Thursday

This is the beautiful 'home on a lake' that was recently purchased by children of my aunt and uncle.

Oh! This place is beautiful! And such a gorgeous day it was!

It's a lot of steps down to the lake, so THGGM took the camera down with him and took a few pictures. Such a beautiful lake!

I couldn't tell you where it is, but it was 'up north' somewhere.

From there we went to a little town that had a charming used book store and several antique places. We stopped in one of those and I bought a great old celluloid mirror.

From that town it was on to Cedarburg, where we had a lovely lunch in this quaint restaurant. I should have taken more pictures, as on the opposite wall were hung several fabulous old quilts. Lots of great antique shopping there, too.

Wow. That was a week ago already. Time has FLOWN by. My Thursday this week has been awful. I could use a nice antique mall and a strong cup of coffee right about now.

Last Week Wednesday

A week ago we were on our way to Wisconsin!

This year we drove through Chicago, something I would never dream of doing, but THGGM became used to it when he worked there for about a year two years ago. I'm so glad he isn't doing that now.

Anyway...

Our first stop was Long Grove, IL. I love it there. It was Halloween, and we almost had the entire town to ourselves. Long Grove has many many quaint and beautiful shops which we looked around in. We bought nothing.


Such a pretty place! The weather was threatening rain, but we made it through without running in to any. I love covered bridges, by the way.

And, sculpture.
After we left Long Grove, we went to the Counio Museum in Vernon Hills. THGGM had toured this when he was living in the area. He knew I would love it, and he was right!

Pictures could not be taken inside the museum, but I did manage to get some in the gardens.

I'm not sure what is wrong with this statues gown, but certainly one would hope her mother would not let her leave home like that.

And, then it was on to Wisconsin, and the beautiful country road that takes us to my aunt and uncle's welcoming home.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today we drove back to Elk Rapids. What a gorgeous town! I have pictures I will add later. We went back to the antique mall we visited yesterday and got directions to a couple more in downtown Elk Rapids. GO THERE! It is a perfectly charming little down on the east coast of the east bay. I think we have a new favorite place to visit.

We had 'birthday dinner' at Schelde's, which was free for me because of it being my birthday. Hopefully that will help THGGM get over that expensive fish lunch in Leland. Hopefully. Although I doubt it.

We almost drove home down the Lake Michigan coast, but it's been a FULL week, and I don't think either of us could have taken in any more natural beauty OR cute stuff. So, we drove straight home.

The first thing I saw when we pulled into the driveway was one of the baby robin's flapping around in the bushes! They are all grown-up and the nest is empty.

THGGM and I had a FABULOUS week. But, along with a saturation of natural beauty AND cute stuff, I think we've had enough togetherness for a while. Case in point - he wears those flip-flop sandals, and they make that flippy-floppy noise with every step. As we walked from our hotel room to the (slowest ever) elevator I wanted to grab him by the neck and shake him while saying "Can't you walk without making that horrible noise?!" Most assuredly, I annoy him too.

So, we're home. THGGM is mowing the lawn, which grew about a foot while we were gone.

It's my birthday - I plan to do nothing. And I plan to do it well.

Today We Went to Charlevoix

It was hazy, hot and humid today. Although we hardly noticed, as it was very pleasant at the lake shore. THGGM looked very much like a tourist. He didn't start out that way. On the drive to Charlevoix he poured coffee all over himself. For those who dream that it will all be different once the kids are grown, guess again!

While I enjoyed the pier and the lighthouse, THGGM looked at a book of expensive real estate in the area.

He found the perfect island house for us. Only a smooth seven million.

Evening in Traverse City and the Mission Peninsula

Tonight we went back to our favorite restaurant (Schelde's!). We both had the wet burrito. It was VERY good!

From there we went back to our favorite beach!
It was lovely! Notice that I found the fish skeleton. It had apparently 'walked' farther up from the water.

I thought it was great to find it again, until we left, and I forgot where it was.

Yup. YUCK. You guessed it. While crawling into the edge of the woods to take a picture, I STEPPED on it!

Icky pooh. Inside, it was still slimy.

We ended our evening outing by going back downtown and spending a lot of money at Cold Stone. From Yuck to Yum.

That reminds me...

I need to go wash my foot.

Again.

Downtown Traverse City

We've done quite a bit of shopping on this vacation. Yesterday when we came back from our adventures we hit an antique mall we've never been to before, and a home elements shop that was in an interesting old brick building - both right on the bay.

This morning we went to Wilson's, a very large antique mall in downtown Traverse City. We stayed for quite awhile. THGGM and I both like to antique shop, but mostly we just drive there together. Once we walk through the door

we go our separate ways, each of us looking at completely different things.

It's nice that way. Then, when we are done looking, we met up and drag the other one to all the interesting things we've found. I cannot believe what I don't see that he does!

Wilson's has something for everyone. Although, being a frequent antique shopper, their prices are very high. I like that when I find things I already have, but not when I am looking to buy!

I found The Water Babies book there. It's in fairly good condition. It has a 'bookworm' hole in it that gives it great charm.

It was supposed to rain today, but it is hazy, hot and humid instead. THGGM is presently at the pool, while I am preparing to draw more robins!

Can't wait to find out what we are going to do with the rest of this day!

Fishtown

I almost deleted this picture of the wharf in Leland.

It was so over-exposed I couldn't even tell what it was.

I tweaked it a bit, and now I love it!

I think I'm going to print it and frame it when we get home.

Just For Me

Tonight after dinner we drove up the Mission Peninsula to our favorite beach.

I'm always so surprised that on a national holiday in a resort town we have the beach all to ourselves.

Well. Except for this large fish skeleton.

THGGM would not let me keep it.

Sometimes he is no fun.

What I did before and after the beach is up on my Inky Finger's blog. www.judyh58b.blogspot.com

New New Thing

I've not much need or desire for NEW Christmas decor. I love picking up new 'old' stuff on my junking expeditions.

But, we found this on our vacation.

We always had bells on the back door when our kids all lived at home.

So, again there are bells on the back door.

I had to crop the picture, because I didn't notice until now that some kid wrote BOO MOM on the lower panes.

Have I mentioned lately that all of my kids are adults now?

Peaceful Beauty

If you would like to see the beautiful, peaceful home we stayed at while on vacation last week, you can catch a peek of it on my Plethora blog, www.judyh58a.blogspot.com

My aunt is my decorating inspiration. Her home reflects the wonderful person that she is.

I think I have about 14 posts up now, with more to come.

It Is Surprising How Many Great Men and Women...

...a Small House Will Contain. - Thoreau



The REAL reason we went on vacation wasn't to shop.


It was to visit the wonderful people who live HERE.


My favorite aunt and uncle live here.


Every year for decades they have put up with us parking our bodies and all the stuff we drag around with us into their warm and inviting home.





This is the gorgeous view from their front yard.




This is another view of a farm taken from their backyard.







Several years back, my cousin bought them this sign which hangs in the kitchen.

My aunt is a fabulous homemaker. My decorating style, when it works, is totally taken from what I see in her home.

I've been given permission to put some pictures of things around her home on my blog.

I'm working on it! Watch my Plethora blog (www.judyh58a.blogspot.com) for those pictures, coming soon!

Falling-Up

Finally, I am getting serious about 'falling-up' my mantle.

You know, those important thing one forgets to do because one is busy banging on cooking pots along with Baby Boy.

I found the fall colored birds at Seasons of the Heart. They were SO cheap. Cheap cheap. No pun intended.

THGGM found the small beaded wreath. It looks sort of like a nest, if you haven't seen many nests and have a really good imagination.

"HOME" called out to me. I found that at the Lang Shop in Southridge Mall. There we also got a calendar for next year, and a card organizer with interesting quotes and thoughts to put in cards.

One of the shops in School Days Antique Mall had this popcorn popper basket. It works well with the potpourri pods in fall colors that I filled it with. Lets out the nice aroma without letting in tiny fingers!

Treasure from the Antique Malls

I found another yellow bird planter!

Now I have TWO yellow and one blue that are OLD. I also have two blue that were recently made. Those don't show in the picture.
I also found this 'pie bird' for a mere two dollars. It isn't old though. The old ones cost way too much. I love this shade of blue!

And, isn't the old little angel candle cute? I picked up one for me and one for my mom.

And, to satisfy my unending longing for old wooden plaque thingies, I found this!

Which also satisfies my longing for all things 'baby'.

Lest you think that all we did was shop, we didn't. But, I want my family to love me, and generally this means I'd best not shove a camera in their face too often.

Inanimate objects do not seem to mind as much. So, I snap away at those.

Antiquing on Friday

October is such a gorgeous month to take a vacation.

The color is spectacular!

I've seen autumn's with better color than this year (last year!) but, there was enough beauty to marvel at everywhere we went.

This was outside of the School Days Antique Mall in Sturdevant, Wisconsin.

Two main floors and a basement (although, i just realized i never made it to the basement!)

This is my favorite antique mall of all time. I can go to this place in my mind, even. Just close my eyes and think 'Sturdevant' and poof! I'm there!

Over the years, THGGM and I have found some wonderful treasure here.


THGGM found a nice wooden 'tool box' that he wanted badly. But, we didn't take a van (the van in the picture belongs to my aunt and uncle) so we had no way to get it home.

THGGM pouted about it a bit, but he is a big boy and just dealt with it.

After the School Days mall we traveled west to Freddy Bear's.

Great stuff to be had here also!

When we left this antique mall, we went to a really nice thrift store in the town of Waterford.

I found a nice 'fallish' chenille sweater for my mom, which looked great on her. I also found a small folk-artsy print entitled "Grandma Goes to the City".

Just perfect for me.

My "Taste of Home" Purchases

THGGM picked out these mixing bowls, which were on the clearance table.

I broke my only two large mixing bowls in the same week this summer. Having a numb hand is hazardous.

So, these were 'needs'.

I must admit that I do go a wee bit crazy with the "Taste of Home" cookbooks. Especially considering that I really do not cook much at all.

But, Daughter already found a wonderful apple crisp recipe, and she and THGGM made it for dessert last night.

Most of their cookbooks were 4 for $10.

My mom got a beautiful sweatshirt. We picked it out together. It is black with a leafy branch with a cardinal on it. What were we thinking? We are Tiger fans. We don't want a cardinal on ANYTHING!

Oh, well.

On Thursday We Went to...

...the lovely town of Greendale, Wisconsin.

Have you ever been there?

"Taste of Home" is located in Greendale. They have a lovely store with a lot of discounted cookbooks and other great stuff.

I bought SIX cookbooks. All for extremely good prices!

There are many great shops here.

We hit most of them.

"Taste of Home" offers a nice place to rest, for those sick of shopping.

Nobody was, or so it appears.

They also have this fabulous Norman Rockwell exhibit.


And, displays of his "The Saturday Evening Post" covers.

"Taste of Home" is the last store on the left. One of the other great shops on this side of the street is "Season's of the Heart". Not only did I make a few great purchases there, I got a number of ideas! I LOVE ideas!

Across the street is a wonderful shop called "The Shoppe Around the Corner", and also a fantastic bread store and a coffee shop. Sadly, the quilt and fabric store were no longer there. I held back the tears. Mostly because everything else was so wonderful. Except for the weather. That was very cold, very windy and rainy. Although, I do believe, a good time was had by all.