Elaine's legacy

Old Lake Calhoun boat docking area---Minneapolis area

Outdoor market scene.

Elaine was my son's awesomely wonderful sweet mother in law who passed away last week after a number of years of declining health---she was 89.  Her legacy will live on through her creative talents: she was a gifted artist who tried her hand at many mediums and her family, old friends and neighbors have examples of her considerable output of artistic energy.  She was honored last week at a remembrance party since she had requested there be no funeral so her 3 daughters, son  and husband certainly provided a day to remember Elaine with fabulous food, ambiance, stories and lots of laughter, which is just the way she would have wanted it. Several people brought paintings that had been given in friendship years ago but had never been seen by her children so those added joy to the gathering.  Elaine and Mac visited us here at the lake a number of years ago and she was thrilled with the sparkling water.  I once sent a photo card which pictured our dock: her response was that her spirit flew right down and sat on the bench to enjoy the view.  I have saved every greeting card she sent for some 17 years because she always wrote a note on tablet paper tucked inside some wonderful photo which can be framed.  She was truly a vintage lady inside and out.

HANDWRITING ON THE WALL

The other day I stopped at Pomme de Terre on my way to a nearby town to pick some lilacs that have been growing by the cemetery fence for many years. They are very woody and the blooms are not as perky as on newer bushes.  But, I love the aroma and knew it would permeate the house and our weekend fishing guests loved them.  I decided to take a picture of the back wall of the little brick school house where generations of children have gone to school.  I talked about it in Echos Across the Prairie and thought you might enjoy seeing the initials carved into the brick.  I like to believe the WS carved in several locations may have been done by my father, but several families in the past have had children with those very initials.  But, I can imagine my dad or as my sons used to call him "Boppie" wanting to leave a sign that he had indeed been there.  Sort of like a Kilroy was here message to all who come after!

Bottles and more Bottles

Bottles bottles everywhere but not a drop in any.  Sometimes I wonder what the fascination is in collecting different types of bottles/glasses/jars etc.  But when looking through them, some have bubbles or strange little blurps as though a breath of air has been caught between layers of glass.  There are wonderful sites on line for seeking history and information on an assortment of styles and types of glass as well as the years in which they were blown or molded.  Imagine the history of an old bottle recovered from beneath an old saloon or pub.  Or---horrors can you picture yourself with shovel or trowel uncovering them from an outdoor biffie???  We live by a lake and when the water is low, we have walked the shoreline and found shards of crockery, stoneware and even small pieces of flow blue dishes.  Occasionally we find bottles as we walk through the woods.  We do know the location of an outdoor facility, but so far haven't ventured to find out what is buried beneath the flowers that bloom on the spot!  Relatives in Tacoma once hid many bottles of liquor and wine behind the basement walls during the depression and future owners were greatly surprised when they began to remodel for a family room!  Some bottles can be traced using the etched name of the company and city in which it originated others have preserved little bottles in collections.    Good hunting!

A Mystery Box

I love reading mysteries, searching for past generations of my family, digging for information to provide provenance for antiques we buy--always new things to learn!  In an earlier post I told about shopping at the antique mall in Pardeville, Wisc. and included some pictures of the primitives for sale there.  In one of the booths I was drawn to a small reddish box sitting in the corner of a shelf in a large cupboard.  Upon picking it up, looking at the tag this is what I read:  Official  "State of Minnesota" wooden box--possibly a ballot box.  "State of Minnesota" still readable--state seal is not.  Well, did I need encouragement or persuasion?  I walked immediately to the front desk to add it to my stash of goods.  This little box is still in my possession and will remain with me.  Could it have been a ballot box?  Could it have been used to collect mail somewhere in the countryside?  Could it have been nailed to the seat of a stagecoach? Could it have held government papers?  There are two large holes in the bottom as you can see in the picture so it was obviously attached to something.   Oh, the possibilities for my imagination to run rampant.  I think in terms of life at Pomme de Terre, Grant County in the time of my great grandparents which I wrote about in Echos of the Past.   Ah yes, could it have been.............

Fresh supplies for Yesterdays in Alexandria!

Once a week we make a trip to Alexandria with different merchandise to add to our booth at Yesterdays.  It's always fun to visit with Ron, Gale, Jeff or Carnie as they usually have updates on what's selling, interesting stories about encounters they've had and just talking shop.  In addition, there are always new displays and ideas to check out.  Interesting how dynamics can be so opposite in every shop and what sells in one, doesn't necessarily go in another---that's why we like to be able to rotate inventory.  Hope those of you who are within driving distance of Fergus Falls, Alexandria and Clear lake in Minnesota, will take the opportunity to do some real antique shopping in this beautiful lake area.  Bring your fishing poles just in case you'd like to stop for a few days.  Opening fishing on Mom's Day weekend----hey great gift!  Just hand her the check book and she can entertain herself looking for treasures.  But then, there's always lay away!!!!

Nice shabby style hanging mirror/ comb pocket/towel bar.

Colors are wonderful in this camp blanket.

cute little chippy youth chair minus the bread board.

Beautiful aqua chenille bedspread/flowers!

This sweet little purse is signed and in mint condition.

Aasness Antique Auction

Tins were a hot commodity.

fabulous firescreen

Two fine pine pieces: dresser, washstand

 

This was in mint condition with drawers intact.

 

Spent Fri evening plus all day Saturday at another fabulous auction featuring items from a collector who had spent many years adding to and living with wonderful antiques.  Cary Aasness related that over time he had sold her many pieces when there used to be farm sales featuring the homestead keepsakes of everyday
living and that now he felt privileged to be asked to send her treasures on their way again.  This auction was also on proxibid, but as the listed items sold, it was apparent there were buyers in the audience who weren't going to let this opportunity to buy increasingly hard to find mint condition antiques slip away.  Some final bids were quite amazing, at least to me, but it only takes two to create a bidding frenzy! Aasness Auction
Company tends to attract some outstanding antique collections of all types so you may want to check out Midwest Auctions now and then or get on his mailing list.  No, I'm not getting a kick back-----I bought a few things that I'll share later on my business facebook page or here so be sure to check later.  We just know a good auctioneer when we see him/her and like to attend their sales.  Good hunting and bidding!!!

Lots of Red Wing stoneware for the collectors.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Fulda, Mn

Granite Falls, Mn

Okoboji , Iowa

Red Rock, Iowa

Just can't get enough of searching for treasures---but we do seem to head farther afield looking for those elusive just perfect items. Spent 5 days in SW Mn, NW Iowa and Western South Dakota, following I-29 from the Tea and Canton area up to Brookings and then home.  Our business partners had never been to some of our favorite shops so returned to several we had been in only 3 weeks before.  BUT, of course, we managed to find some more goodies to fill the truck!  On my business facebook page, I mentioned several things that really peeve us---advertising for shops that have gone out of business or that aren't open when the brochures or internet say they are.  However, there seem to be others cropping up and occasional sales galore.  We didn't get to the Benson flea market event in Sioux Falls on the weekend, due to a pulled leg muscle, so will have to try in the fall.  The truck and van were pretty much loaded so guess our efforts were rewarded.  Now as my hubby says:  SELL  SELL SELL.

A weekend at Weekend Cottage

Thought I needed to bring you up to speed on what's new at Weekend Cottage in Clear Lake.  In an earlier blog I described the three shops where we rent space.  Each time we spend our 1 day a month working here, we meet many new people coming from the "north" who either rent cabins or who have second homes in that area.  Always fun to compare notes and talk about antiques and collectibles.  Customers  are invariably interested in the history of the house and always amazed to learn that 9 children grew up in this  little farmhouse style home.  No doubt, it was in the country when it was first built and probably included acreage.  There are two sloped ceiling bedrooms upstairs and probably had two down with one bathroom, although I don't know the entire story of the remodeling that took place.  But this little house must have been bursting at the seams with eleven people going about their daily lives in such a small space.  Today it is bursting with goods to be sold and includes the yard, a porch and lodge (read 2 car garage) that are equally filled to the brim with treasures waiting for new owners. The Cottage is  open every weekend:  Fri - Sun and starting in May will be open 10 to 6 pm.  Okay, lake people and city people, now is the time to check out the goodies!!! 

Pardeeville, Wisconsin antique mall

Apparently we do have really good taste in antique stores----article in Antique Trader tells about unplanned stop at this mall and found much to admire!  We discovered it last year on a short road trip into Wisconsin and chose to make another stop on our way home this year.  It is an awesome place that has the feeling of small shops within the larger building.  Everything is clean, well organized and each vendor takes obvious pride in their space. If you love primitives, treenware, homestead antiques and a wonderful selection of items in between, it is well worth your time to get out a map or set the gps and head for Pardeeville.  I asked the owners for permission to take pictures and they graciously encouraged me to do so.  Their web site is beautiful and well done and gives an overall sense of the feeling.  What a pleasure to spend several hours taking in the fantastic selection of gorgeous antiques.  Enjoy a few pictures but check their site for more.  Been busy adding more pictures and info to my facebook page so hope you'll visit there also.  Lots to do, but isn't it fun!!!

This Little Riding Hood multitasks!

This little cutie has been with me for a while.  It resided on a shelf in my wall unit for many years, but decided to make space for other treasures.  I have searched high and low for Red Ridinghood collectibles and have never found this particular one.  Yes, she multitasks-----she entertains with her nodding head, offers a pincushion on her back for sewers or pretty pins, and she has a tapemeasure!  Who could ask for anything more?  If anyone has seen another or knows where I could find information, please let me know.  I may have to bring her home again if the right buyer doesn't show up before too long.  I can always make room on the shelf....  This picture is also going to be on my business facebook page, because it's so unique.  Thanks for stopping by and thanks for comments----love to hear from you.

vintage retro style toys

beautiful graphics on paper goods 1930s-40s  Exit 55

Beautiful old ferris wheel toy.

This is located Yesterdays in Alexandria

Yesterdays in Alexandria, Mn

I love collecting toys and children's books but have come to the point where something has to go.  Does this have anything to do with being a teacher and loving kid stuff?  I also saved toys my three sons played with as children and our two young grandsons have enjoyed discovering Fisher Price little people plus the airport, garage etc.  They also were smitten briefly with GI Joes until the newer flashier action figures grabbed their attention.  We try to buy things that we won't mind keeping in a collection if buyers don't see the same charm in them that we do.  I also include dolls in this grouping---guess we won't even go there, although I have been selling more lately and I think it has to do with the new craze of altered states!!!  If you're not familiar with this idea, think doll head on a tea pot, a flower pot or a kitchen tin decorated with all manner of strange stuff.  I think they're fun and fully intend to try a couple for myself!  And so it goes---another generation of kids learn to play with old treasures and appreciate their special colors and graphics.

A Wall of China

Sorry, couldn't resist the title.  Such  a cute idea to display pretty cup and saucer sets.  I saw this in a sweet shop in Kalona, Iowa called the Pink Begonia which featured antiques, collectibles, art and vintage decor and was owned by a mom a daughter.  Remember when cups and saucers commanded very high prices, particularly if they were bone china?  Not so much anymore so if anyone is thinking of starting a collection or just likes to decorate with pretty dishes, now is the hour!  My mom LOVED china of all persuasions and had a large assortment of beautiful cups and saucers.  No one ever came to our home without being served a snack with a  cup of coffee served correctly with her best china.  I am the keeper of many of those lovely pieces and my three sons actually have a few to keep as memories of Nan.

Whats the story in Story City?

Must share pictures and comments about the antique mall in Story City, Iowa, called Antiques Iowa.  It is a huge mall with a wonderful assortment of vintage and collectibles for your viewing and buying pleasure.  We spent several hours perusing the goods and could have gone back again and again.  Lots to see and absorb.  For example: beautifully displayed antique tools, cabin/country goods, lots of vintage feed sacks plus oodles of primitives----both smalls, cupboards and other furniture.  Actually, took pictures of several booths maintained by Carter Station, dealers with multiple booths.  Sorry, can't ID the booth with feed sacks, although I bought several items.  If you love paper and books, there was a wide selection.  More formal furniture in room style vignettes. Many dealers had special short term sales, possibly for weekend.  Well worth the stop but plan to spend some time  in order to see it all!  Managed to snare some fun items.