Hobbit House

We had a touch of "cabin fever" today and headed north for a change of scenery.  There was a flea market advertised in a small town so that was our destination and it was sweet, literally.... with homemade pies by Judy.  She bakes them all year round at home.  Just call and leave your order by 9 a.m. and she'll have your pies baked by 3 p.m.  We came home with apple pie and rhubarb pie. I met an auctioneer and bought a few antique treasures from him as well.

We got over our winter doldrums!  We have almost no snow compared to an hour north.  Pulled over to take a picture of this quaint stone "shed" with stone walls on either side of a trail up and into the woods beyond.  Plenty of snow on the roof.  I love the shape of the chimney.  Wonder what the history of this place is.  Snowmobilers were everywhere today... perfect outdoor winter sports weather!  ..... and spring?  When?

Spring is Here, but the Weatherman Doesn't Know

Another estate sale got me up early and on my way this morning.  And look at my wonderful treasures!  First a cement Easter Bunny for my front porch.  When I get the frozen dirt out of his basket, I can fill it with eggs or pansies or both.  Isn't he happy and handsome?

Then these two pairs of matching bowls: two Blue Dot Pyrex and two Texas Ware splatter bowls.
They are all four in beautiful condition.  I was especially happy to find the unused vintage ticking ~ six yards plus a little.  This is my favorite fabric for my clothes pin bag linings and goes with the vintage tablecloths I use so nicely.

The back roads were very icy when I left home this morning.  I thought about turning back, but the thrill of the hunt kept me on track and luckily the main roads were clear.  I like to burn my Christmas tree in the beach fire pit at the spring equinox, but both the fire pit and the tree are buried in the snow.  And I don't dare take my Jeep out of 4WD yet.  Hey, weatherman, don't you know it's spring?

Lake Michigan Ice & Estate Finds

My visit to the first estate sale of the season was yesterday.  I was wide awake at 5:08 a.m. ahead of the alarm clock.  I leave extra early to be as close to first as possible on the sign in sheet.  This sale was 50 miles southwest of my home.  Number 3 was my spot at 7:06 a.m.  Wait for an hour for receipt of my entrance ticket; then wait for another hour until the sale opens. 

On the early dark drive the sky was clear, the fat sliver of moon was bright, the stars were shining.  Soon the sun peeped up over the snow-covered fields and orchards.  On my return trip home with a full car, I made a side trip to visit this lighthouse at a small town harbor on Lake Michigan.  An ore carrier is on the horizon.  It is heading north through the Straits of Mackinac and on through Lake Huron, Lake Erie.... who knows?...  perhaps on out the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Here are the treasures I brought home from the estate sale.  I was excited to get this darling vanity with hinged three-way mirrors.  The chippy bench/table could work with the vanity, yes?  Maybe with a ruffled cushion.... hmmmm.
And three pretty sheer lace curtains completed my purchases. 

It was a successful first sale of the season.  I'm looking forward to spring and more treasure hunting.

Self-critique

My granddaughter Emily, soon to be 4 yrs. old, has this marvelous chalk wall in the playroom. 
With giant chalk she carefully created this Emily-sized chalk-person, then stepped back to get
a good look.  I just love this stance with her hands behind her back.  She is also sporting a new
short haircut which is so cute and bouncy.... just like her!