Walnut 2009 ~ The Sights.1

At long last I am finally posting some sights from the Father's Day weekend antique show in Walnut, Iowa! I do apologize for the delay ~ in my defense, I have been terribly busy and I didn't realize just how many photos I took! Yikes, I am going to have to break it down in several posts.

At any rate, with no further delays...... the best way to start your day at Walnut is to treat yourself to a pancake breakfast at the Walnut firehouse. The fireman have built this amazing pancake machine ~ after seeing it the first year, I remembered it as making hundreds of pancakes at once ~ returning the next year, I realized I had a somewhat exaggerated memory ~ 12 is still pretty impressive!

After a hearty breakfast, it is time to decide where to start ~ the two main streets are lined with vendors, there are several indoor venues with visiting vendors and then there are several antique malls and shops as well ~ plenty to keep you busy! This is truly a show where there is something for everyone ~ below are some shots to give you an idea of what kinds of things are for sale at this show.

{great weathered doors and wall decorations from simply iowa}

{ceiling tins and braided rugs in a homey display}

{duck pull toy and cast iron rabbit}

{great pickle display from general store or deli}

{children's litho lunch box}

{group of chairs and benches from a dance school for young children}

{for the Anglophile ~ some cricket balls}

{depression glassware as far as the eye can see}

{entrance sign to one of the antique malls in Walnut}

{incredible tramp art radio}

Would love these sculptural turbines in a garden. . .

or this wonderful vintage garden tool set!

Speaking of gardens, I had to include the photo below ~ one of the Walnut residents had this wonderful garden planted at the side of their home ~ it looked like a garden in a magazine or garden book! Everything all lined up and amazingly healthy ~ cabbages, lettuces, beans, beets, corn, broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, you name it, it was there ~ and thriving! And to think we have trouble keeping hostas alive ~ maybe Walnut has no squirrels or rabbits?!

One type of animal that is found in Walnut is the dog! Whether there are many local residents, at least during this show, there are always many visitor dogs. Here are a few of my favorites:

This is Midge ~ or Midget ~ a yorkie. Initially I thought she was a wig as she was sacked out in a basket on top of her owner's jewelry display ~ I jumped a mile when she moved!
Unfortunately, I can't remember the rest of the dogs' names ~ I should have taken notes! They were all friendly though and seemed to be enjoying the show and all the attention they were getting. Below is Pete, the scottie ~ we met his owners last year when Grace (their female scottie) was travelling with them. Pete is a new addition to their family ~ he and his brother were adopted recently by the antique dealer and her sister. Pete was pretty sweet!

{that's all for today ~ more tomorrow!}

Technical Difficulties!

I know I said I would be posting more photos from Walnut today, but I am going to have to postpone that ~ hopefully I will be able to do it tomorrow as long as bookclub doesn't do me in for the night!

The scene below is similar to what surrounded me on my drive home from work this evening ~ shortly after I arrived home the rain hit and then the power went out. So much for cleaning and vacuuming ~ much less any time on the computer ~ the scots barely managed to scamper outside, take a whiz and race back inside before the downpour! D and I made the best of it ~ lit some candles, settled down with a drink and a rousing game of scrabble (I won this time!) ~ the power returned just about the time we finished the game.

So, now no more procrastinating ~ time to tidy up for my bookclub! I'm hoping for a nice evening so we can sit out on the deck and no one will have much opportunity to notice my poor housekeeping skills!

{image from stacked plates}

Walnut 2009 ~ The Journey

Armed with one of my newest and proudest purchases, Dick and I set out for Walnut, Iowa at the crack of dawn ~ at least for me, that means around 7ish. This is either our 6th or 7th year going to the Walnut Antiques Show ~ our first ever with a vintage rolling cart! Collapsible, no less!!! Looks like Dennis the Menace became a businessman ~ I must have missed that episode.

Once we loaded up and headed out, there were some beautiful sights to see along the way ~ gorgeous farms, tilled fields and old fashioned windmills sharing the view with the modern telephone pole and wires.

Stanton is a little town we decided to make a detour through as we didn't want to miss the largest coffee pot and cup and saucer! Not only does Stanton boast these roadside attractions, but it is also the birthplace of Mrs. Olsen of Folger's Coffee fame. We had hoped to dine at Susie's Kitchen in Stanton, but unfortunately, Susie's was closed due to illness ~ here's hoping you are feeling better Susie!

As Walnut is quite a distance for us to travel ~ and the antique show is too large to get through in one day, we usually camp out for one night at Lake Anita ~ in the tiny town of Anita ~ about 20 miles east of Walnut. I'm not a big camper (some day I will tell my spider story), but with views like these below it is quite enjoyable.

{view from our campsite}

{our campsite ~ good old #51!}

{even the picnic table was beautiful ~ love the weathered paint and the moss}

On the way from the campsite to Walnut, we pass through another small town called Atlantic ~ here a beautiful stone entrance to the town's cemetery. I noticed there was a section of the cemetery with a sign marked "Babyland" ~ I don't know that I have ever seen a cemetery with a specialized area like that ~ it made me feel sad for those families that had lost a member so young.

As we drove through Atlantic, we also passed the restaurant we planned to eat dinner at Friday evening ~ I think they knew we were coming! The Feed Lot is known for its prime rib, so that is what we both had ~ it was quite tasty and the place was very crowded ~ we waited just about an hour to get seated.

As we approached the town of Walnut, we noticed some new additions ~ modern windmills everywhere! I don't remember seeing any of these last year, so the windmill builders have been busy. These structures are actually somewhat mesmerizing ~ I found I just couldn't look away ~ they are massive in size ~ I think about 60 ft high ~ at some vantage points, windmills as far as the eye can see. I also found the juxtaposition of the old and new an interesting and quite harmonious contrast.

Finally, the Welcome to Walnut sign ~ time to unload the cart and get shopping! Tomorrow, tune in for some photos at the antique show!

Father's Day at Walnut

As the AmVets Antique Show in Walnut, Iowa is scheduled every year on Father's Day and I don't live close enough to my dad to visit for the day, I can't help but think of him as I peruse the different shops and vendor's booths at the show ~ especially as antique shopping is something we both enjoy. So, I thought, in honor of my dad I would do a post of things I saw that reminded me of him in some way or another. Below is a photo of my dad as a young boy ~ probably around 8 years old.......

{Dick Reed ~ age 8}

I'm sure by age 8 he was on to more exciting books than this one...... even if it was giant size.

Probably something more like this......

Or some great tool like this....

As my dad grew up he developed a passion for cars ~ too bad I wasn't able to find a Packard, Dodge or Buick logo ~ this will have to do.

My dad has always had a sweet tooth and I do remember going out for root beer floats every now and then ~ or even making them at home.

My dad has always been good at puzzles and games ~ he could always figure out things we couldn't.

Below two signs with great graphics ~ neither of which have much to do with my dad other than containing a part of his name!

{My dad today ~ Happy Father's Day, Dad!}

Walnut Weekend!

Where did the week go? I guess I have been so busy just getting through the workweek that Friday has just snuck up on me. I had hoped to post some photos from the Friends of the Feather sale last weekend, but I will have to do that later this weekend. Tomorrow we leave for a short trip to Walnut - that is, Walnut, Iowa for the 27th Annual Walnut Antique Show! A peek from previous years is here and here. I PROMISE I will post a whole bunch of photos when I return! Happy Weekend everybody!

{image from here}

Sneak Peek ~ Friends of a Feather Sale

Tomorrow is the big show ~ Friends of a Feather! Don't miss it!

So of course tonight will be a late night for all of us participating! With the majority of goods unloaded and displayed tonight, many of us plan to arrive early to do some last minute tweaking. As for me, I still have a few last minute things I want to finish up tonight at home, so I left several others finishing up in the tent around 9:00. On my way out I shot a few photos ~ thanks to Photoshop, it doesn't look quite as dark as it actually was.

Below are a few photos of what I have for sale ~ this is my first stab at a show where I am selling vintage items in addition to some handmade pieces(crocheted brooches and earrings). I am finding it pretty hard to part with my stash of stuff ~ after all, I think I may be the world's worst hoarder! I only got a few shots of my wares as it was too dark in some parts of the tent to get a good photo. I will post more tomorrow when the sun is out (crossing my fingers!) and will hopefully have better photos. See more photos at the Friends of a Feather blog. Hope to see you sometime this weekend ~ stop and say hi!

{a lovely cake safe that I bought many years ago ~ love the painted finish and its imperfections ~ I think it would make a great little side table in a garden room or a covered porch}

{the vintage metal time card holders are mine ~ I allowed myself to buy another one recently, but with the understanding that I must sell the other two ~ it is the only way I am tricking myself into selling anything!}

{My boyfriend's Car Snac ~ it's the plaid container in the front ~ fits over the back of a bench style car seat ~ if you find one intact it will have two thermoses as well. We thought it would be great for maps or a couple of wine bottles and snacks for a light picnic.}

{the laundry basket (NFS) I bought just for display! and a collection of cigar boxes(4 sale)}

Drowning!!!

Sorry for the lack of posts lately ~ I have been inundated with work at my job and at home! in addition to the deluge of work, the Kansas City area has been getting its fair share of rain as well. Please bear with me, I promise a flood of posts when I come up for air.

{image from shorpy}

Lovely Pink!

Growing up in Pennsylvania I'm quite familiar with mountain laurel ~ after all it is the state flower. Last week I was looking around at my parent's plantings and came upon this unusually colored mountain laurel (shown below) ~ most of the time they are colored like the one above (image from Wikipedia). Wish I could have stayed a day or two longer so that I would have seen it in full bloom! Don't you just love the delicate cuplike open flowers in contrast with the sculptural closed buds?