DETOUR TO FIRST MONDAY TRADE DAYS

One of the highlights of going to Texas this summer was knowing I would be able to hit Canton, Texas home to the world-renowned First Monday Trade Days Market. It has long been one of my favorite monthly flea markets and is even the initial setting for my cozy mystery FIRST MONDAY MURDER. It is a huge market (read acres!!) of both indoor and outdoor booths. I was surprised by all the new buildings there now. Many vendors have regular indoor spaces there, but rest assured there are still lots of junky treasures to be found in the "unreserved" section across the creek. On the day Sweet Girl and I made our way there, it was an especially stifling hot one -- the dreaded August market -- only dreaded because of the oven roasting temps and lack of the usual Texas breezes. I choose to look at the bright side -- less traffic. We took provisions to take on the heat including wet bandanas, mini-water spraying fans, icy water bottles, and good spirits. Sweating so profusely has never been more fun! In addition to finding some great junk, I also got to meet my facebook friends Cathy and Deidra of Girls Gone Junkin’.  Their space, recently voted one of the top five at Canton's First Monday by Southern Living magazine, didn't disappoint. At every turn there were white lacy confections, rusty metal pieces, and even a bit of alluring leather. The combination was unique and wonderfully refreshing. For more info check out http://www.girlsgonejunkin.com/.

 These photos were taken at other indoor venues at FIRST MONDAY.  I love the looks and inspiration.

For more info on First Monday Trade Days check out http://www.firstmondaycanton.com/.

Did I mention Sweet Girl and I keep up our super junkin' strength by sharing chocolate pie?





Peace, love, and pie-lovin' goodness to y'all!!

HOT TEXAS -- COOL JUNK

No doubt about it, this summer is one of the hottest on Texas record books. Folks are baking cookies on their dashboards, frying eggs on the sidewalks, and looking for ways to stay cool. Me? Well, since I was raised on the Oklahoma prairie with no a/c I decided a little sweat and hot air would not could not keep a good junker inside! To confront the searing heat, I begin my junkin' days a little earlier. I learned a long time ago to dress in linen or cotton and to always carry a bandana to sop up the ever-trickling perspiration. I grab a cool drink and my favorite tunes (currently can't get enough Blake Shelton) and hit the road! This summer I've found all kinds of cool junk -- at many estate sales, thrift stores and great antique malls here in Texas. I found this Mary garden statue in Athens and knew she had to come home with me. I also found a beautiful French linen sack from Sweet Peas at Winnie and Tulula's. (Be sure to get there before 2 p.m. for lunch at the marvelous Sweet Peas Bistro.)

In addition a large number of vintage suitcases, cowboy boots, antlers, wicker wrapped liquor bottles, lilac transferware plates, and more than a couple of odd rusty pieces have hopped into my SUV -- too nifty to leave behind. I'm headed back up to Seattle soon with a trailer full of treasures to take to Fall Vintage Markets like Funky Junk Sisters Junk Salvation and Country Nesters.

 Peace, love, and junkin' coolness to y'all!

PEACHY SUMMER GOODNESS

Hey, y’all! Hope you’re having a great summer. Long time, no blog! The kids and I have been on the road since the end of June traveling with our spiffy slightly used little travel trailer. It’s been quite the adventure, as I’ve never actually pulled a travel trailer before. On this our maiden voyage we’ve been lucky enough to travel with my folks from Seattle to Texas.

Since our arrival in East Texas we’ve spent a lot of quality time at Efurd Orchards just outside Pittsburg, TX. You see, this place is a wonderful family-run, old-fashion fruit stand complete with five different flavors of homemade ice cream. What’s not to love? They feature fresh strawberries early in the summer, but come July it’s all about the peaches. Beautiful, juicy, sun-kissed, sweet peaches!!!

They feature blueberry, strawberry, peach, banana, and cantaloupe ice creams – icy, cold deliciousness that is hard to beat on a hot, summer day. The grounds around the fruit stand are also equally amazing. A large pond features not one, but two tractor fountains, and an amazing collection of old trucks and tractors.

Inside the fruit stand are many great antique and vintage finds – not for sale, but used cleverly to showcase the family’s relishes, preserves, and other delectable foodie fun. In addition, Efurd's has a good selection of fresh produce including Jacksonville tomatoes!

Efurd Orchards is located on Highway 271, three miles south of Pittsburg, TX– www.efurdorchards.com.

 

Peace, love, and summer goodness to y'all!

A JUNKIN' THANG HAPPENED ON OUR FAMILY OUTING



Love this garden and water
view in Port Townsend!

Any Junker worth their salt knows that junkin' just seems to happen. There you are with your devoted husband, son, daughter, mother, father, and two little dogs enjoying a beautiful family day in lovely Port Townsend when like a magnet you're drawn to the sign -- ESTATE SALE. Well, needless to say the sandwich board on the main drag of Port Townsend sent out it's invisible magnetic pull drawing me to it like an alien to the mothership. My own mother was sputtering protests about how snug we already were in the SUV so how would we be able to get anything else in there? But like the stubborn junk obsessive girl I am I was only focused on how fast I could get to the correct address a few doors down. The beautiful Victorian door was open, welcoming us in to what appeared to be a neighborly upscale garage sale/estate sale. My heart gave it's happy junkin' heart thumpin' skip and I quickly began to peruse the lovely arranged treasures. Two things made it give an extra pitty-pat and contemplate leaving a family member behind in Port Townsend -- a lovely vintage floral chest and a small vanity case! The floral chest was wonderful! I've been known to purchase others in bad condition just for the beautiful rose print, but this one was in pristine condition and just the right price. . . a can't-leave-it-behind-price. So, I purchased it along with the 1930s vanity case all the while my mom was shaking her head in disbelief. "Don't worry," I told her. "I'm a professional. I've done this before." I carried my new rose chest across the street with her blocking the view from my dad and hubby. I popped okay, wedged it into the front seat. My mom thought this would make a great photo op so she took pictures as I tried to get my new purchase into the SUV quickly before my hubby saw it.

Poor Sweet Girl and her brother, Sweet Boy, have literally  spent
 their entire lives sharing cargo space with my vintage treasures.
 Gotta love the kids of a Junkin' kind of momma.

A half hour later, my dad and hubby tracked us down laughing and shaking their heads. And yes, we managed to cram two small dogs and two teenagers and four adults into the SUV along with my new purchases wedged between all of us for the long ride home.

Beautiful street scene from Port Townsend.

Sweet Girl and Sweet Boy -- my tolerant teenagers!



My Momma and Daddy -- never too surprised by my antics.
(That's why I wear my JUNK GYPSY tee shirt, "Mama Tried" so proudly.)



Stunning Victorian house -- one of many
beautiful examples in Port Townsend.





The beautiful rose printed chest
I couldn't leave Port Townsend without.

 It was a fabulous sunshiny day filled with laughter and delight as we explored the incredible Victorian streets of Port Townsend, WA and went home with a couple of junkin' treasures.

Thank you to my very understanding children who have literally spent their entire lives sharing the cargo space with my junkin' treasures. So glad they understand and still love their Junkin' momma.

Peace, love, and appreciatin' my sweet family!