Seattle

It was my joy to help Ian & Emma move to a top floor

apartment in Capitol Hill.  That is their view

of the Seattle skyline.

It was also my joy to help Ian celebrate his

31st birthday.  Mom & son at the Pikes Place Market!

💙

love letters

Sweet vintage Valentines have arrived at my booth in

Hixton, Wisconsin.  ❤️

MN antiquing

We traveled to an Antique Show at the MN state fairgrounds
in St. Paul on Saturday.  Rather than "buy to sell", this was more
of a "buy to keep" show.  It was fun to see what the 100 vendors
brought to this show...and to circle around several times, ending
up time & again at the same booths.

As we had a couple block walk on a brisk winter day, I had a 

plan to buy what would fit in my shoulder bag, with no extra

trips back to the car.  My finds above show that I remained on

task.  However...we did buy a 5 foot white bench too! ❤️

I purchased two ziplock bags of antique lace for $5 a bag. 

It is beautiful, and something I often use or display.

I added two pair of hand knit mittens, picturing these as part

of a new winter collection.  They are vintage and in lovely

condition.

I never pass by a reasonable Steiff or a sweet handmade bunny.

Children's toys are always on my wish list...the more loved, 

the better.

This sweet santa and family of chickens had to come home 

with me.

And finally, this wee old pot jumped into my bag for $4.00.

With a very unusual maker's mark, it will be fun to research.

Such a fun winter adventure! ❤️

💚💙

our barn

  We spent Saturday afternoon cleaning out the hayloft of our 

  110 year old barn.  Rumor has it there will be a wedding here.

round & round

My mom gave me this, her wedding band.  It has been home on my right hand for over 20 years.  I love the detail, the modern choice of this independent woman from years ago. She had tucked it away in the jewelry box I often organized for her after she & my dad divorced.  I have loved it always, and had it fitted to wear when my mom passed on.  It has traveled with me from year to year, a reminder of the love that was a part of the choice.  It has been there when my hand has tended to the rebirth of this old farm - painting, pulling weeds and giving a goat a tussle on the head.  It has been there to encourage my Ian onward - applauding his hockey & soccer days, waving him on to Washington, sneaking a ring box to him on the Memorial Union Terrace as he prepared to ask his Emma for her "ever after".  It has been there through hard times - holding my sister's hand this past November as I talked with her in her final hour, pushing back & holding firm through life's waves.  And it has been there through joy - lifting up a brand new kitten born in our barn, readying a hayloft for a wedding, reaching out to my Dave at one more flea market or antique trip.  Round & Round & Round. 

A new year...

          May you find 2019 rich with blessings.