Bye Borders...

Eau Claire has but one large-ish book store

and that is/was Borders.

So, it is very sad to see it go.

Now granted,

books have always been beyond my budget

unless found at thrift sales,

Half Price Books in Madison,

or the library...

but I do so love to look.

So it is sad to bid it farewell.

Today, I went to say "goodbye"

and look at the going away treat I received...

Magazines

& Somerset Studio

Book-azines at

40% Off.

There were still lots to pick from today...

Go and say "Bye" too!

Thank, Borders -- will miss you!

Just as free, free as we'll ever be...

It poured -- skies just opened, and it poured.

Still, we grabbed our folding chairs, rain gear...

Ian drove up from Madison,

and we arrived at CountryJam just as they took the stage.

Early -- things were moved around, acts were cancelled or changed.

And then the blue skies returned and for three hours they sang to us...
three hours!

People danced, sang back and were happy.

And, to hear thousands sing the chorus..."free as we'll ever be" with the

Zac Brown Band

magic, pure magic...

Every now & again you capture that moment,

tuck it way way back knowing it is special & will

be cherished.

Standing there, last night with Dave & Ian and thousands

of other folks that had arrived in Eau Claire-

Didn't matter our ethnicity, socioeconomic status, political views...

under that one sky, with mud on our feet

we were all happy -- just happy.

And we sang...

This is how it rolls in the country -- in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
 on a wet, stormy Saturday night.

What better to do on a hot day? Antique of course!

Years ago, I stumbled upon this wonderful
multi-dealer mall (90 dealers)

 in Western Wisconsin...

the Hixton Schoolhouse Antique Mall.
*Learn more about this mall by clicking HERE

(FYI -- SALE alert below!)

Hixton was always one of my favorite places to travel to
on an antiquing adventure when we lived in Sun Prairie.
What could be better - a LARGE mall
& 3 other antique shops in town too!

Now that we live in Western Wisconsin --
we not only sell at the Hixton Schoolhouse Antique Mall
-- but work behind the counter 1-2 Saturdays each month too.

And, in honor of the wonderful customers
that have found their way to my booth...
I am hosting a
20% OFF SALE
in my booth
during July.

Find your way over to the Hixton Schoolhouse Antique Mall.
It is located right off I94 --
just about 40 minutes SE of Eau Claire
-- the exit between Pigeon Falls & Black River Falls.

Our dealer codes are "SPY" & "MD"
(I have a booth & case and Dave has a case)

Happy Antiquing!

Yes, I confess...

have to, wouldn't be right to not step up & say it...

so here goes...

I love T.J. Maxx.

There I said it.

Now, you must understand as much as I love antiquing,

I hate shopping.

But there is something about T.J. Maxx.

And I also believe there is something about

toning down too many vintage items with

just a bit of fresh.

My "fresh" generally comes from T.J. Maxx.

So -- just behold my latest:

Fabulous padded chairs in this fabric...

happened in just as the clerk was clicking a new sales sticker...

bingo, nabbed at $30 each!!

Honestly, other shoppers were applauding my good find as

I left the store.

Are you a T.J. Maxx or Marshalls kind of girl too?

P.S. don't get me even started on IKEA.

Blue Birds

Blue Bird Dishes

Sweet little specials I tuck throughout my home.

They make me smile....

Oops...had to add this picture. 

I am adding daily to the barn for the sale,

and found these from a recent buying trip. 

Have never seen Blue Bird tins -- these are officially "adopted" by me!

What is your favorite collectible of the moment?

"Splurge"

SPLURGE -- how I really like that word. 

And, I do believe we owe ourselves a splurge every now and again.

So, I start & end my day with two splurges --

can you guess what they are in this picture????

#1:  Sweet, luxurious hand towels!

#2:  Bath & Body Works Soap

Now if you guessed sweet, adorable, charming stuff -- YES, that too --- ALWAYS!

And, what do you splurge on??