Flea Market Fun

Have you ever been to the Long Beach Antique Market? It's one of the largest regular flea markets in the country. I hadn't been for years, but a friend's wedding took us to California last weekend so of course we included the market in our itinerary!

 The Long Beach Antique Market is held the 3rd Sunday of every month and hundreds of vendors bring their wide assortment of wares for sale. 

There was so much to drool over - ironstone, 

mercury glass, 

 French bottle rack (I really want one of these someday!)

 grain sack pillows, 

shabby furniture (that's me taking my own picture).

Of course I bought silver, lots of it! 

And I was so happy to find some demi johns 

at a reasonable price.

I also found some pewter and a few other trinkets. All of these will be making an appearance in my store this week. Come see me at  Merchant Square  booth #20.

And if you get the chance, visit the Long Beach Antique Market. Read more about it HERE.

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Garden Cloche

 We've been having quite a cold snap here in Arizona. the temperatures have been below freezing for several nights in a row. I realize this is nothing compared to most of the country, but it is still enough to harm our tender garden plants! Throughout my neighborhood shrubs and flowers are draped with sheets and burlap to protect their leaves from the bitter chill. 

Yesterday I shared a post about my little bird's nest under a cloche. Cloches have become such a fun home decor item. Many of us have several on hand and fill them with ornaments, flowers, candy, candles, you name it! Marty over at  A Stroll Through Life even hosts regular "Cloche Parties". But of course, their original purpose was to be used in the garden! Cloche means "bell" in French and they create a mini greenhouse  intended to cover and protect young seedlings. So I toted my largest cloche out to the herb garden and set it over my cilantro. The sun warmed things up nicely during the day and so far has kept the frost out at night. 

 The rest of the garden is shivering under beach towels! I fear my cherry tomatoes are goners :( 

I found this lovely post about the history of cloches along with some great photos. Check out Barbara at It's About Time to learn more!

I hope you and your gardens are staying warm!

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What's It Wednesday

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Bloggers Block

My hat is off to all of you regular bloggers who frequently post fun and inspirational ideas! You've all heard of "Writer's Block"? Well, I'm afraid I've had a case of "Blogger's Block". I haven't posted an update since mid December, what with children and grandchildren staying with us, holiday activities and parties, work, Church responsibilities, putting away Christmas, cleaning everything - in other words LIFE! 

So the best I could come up with is my little bird's nest in a cloche. I found the cloche a couple of months ago out thrift shopping. I think it may have originally been for a clock. I still have a few nests left over from my daughter's wedding last June so I perched one atop an old candlestick and made a tag to nestle in with the egg. Even though it is frigid in most of the country this is a tiny reminder that Spring will be here before you know it!

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Neighbor Gifts

Mmm, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Quickbread, it sounds sweet and comforting! I love giving gifts from my kitchen and every year I try to find fun 

containers to put my treats in.

Happily I found all of these canning jars recently at the Goodwill! They are the kind with a rubber gasket, hinge and clasp. They cost only $1 each so I bought 30 of them. I told the fellow at the checkout that I was going to use them for neighbor gifts and he said,

"Wow, you have a lot of neighbors!"

 Apparently someone was retiring from the candle business. All of the jars featured a different scent and they were coated with waxy residue.Yuk!

A trip through the dishwasher and they came out 

sparkling clean!

 I'm sure most of you have made or received layered cookie mixes in a jar. This recipe however is for a quick bread, even easier! I found the recipe on the Sunset website. You can link to it HERE. Don't the jars look great with their layers of flour, sugar, oats, chocolate and spices?

 I added an instruction label,

and a gift tag. I like that my friends can keep this on their pantry shelf and use it at their convenience. 

What is your favorite gift to your neighbors?

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La Cigale

Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains outside of Harrisburg is a charming little Country French shop called La Cigale. I'm so glad that I made visiting a priority for our current trip to Pennsylvania. 

 The store specializes in French linens from Provence. There are lovely tablecloths, napkins and placemats in every bright sunny color available!

They also sell fragrant French soaps and little Santons, 

 brightly painted dinnerware, 

and charming pieces of artwork.

I was able to open an account with them and will bring home lots of tablecloths to put in my antique store. It was so hard to choose!

 If you happen upon tiny Mt. Gretna in Pennsylvania

 be sure to stop in!

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Feathered Nest Friday
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Christmas Raffle Table 2012

In 4 weeks is the annual Christmas Idea House here in 

Mesa, Arizona. This is a great fundraiser that provides scholarships to worthy students and supports local charities. Let me show you what I've been working on the last several months.

I got to be in charge of the Raffle Table for a second year. I love putting together a holiday tablescape!  Last year I chose a very dramatic black, white and turquoise theme. 

Click HERE to see it. 

This year my theme was "Tartan and Toile". 

 I found almost everything at thrift shops including red and white transferware salad/dessert plates, vintage silverware by Gorham, French crystal, even the Stewart tartan and red toile  fabrics.

 I filled a vintage crate with paperwhites and pinecones nestled in glass hurricanes. 

The lucky winner will receive 8 full place settings  of china, silver, crystal, linens, candles, favors and centerpiece.Wow! And it's only $5 a ticket! If you live in Mesa or anywhere in the greater Phoenix area come join the women of Desert Club for this fun event.

 For more info click here Christmas Idea House.

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Sweet Spreaders

I started my love affair with these darling spreaders several years ago. They started popping up in gourmet shops, kitchen and cooking stores. Now you can find them at most gift shops - or if you're lucky at thrift stores too! 

 These little spreaders come in all different shapes and themes. I bought these cute Pilgrims last year to use for Thanksgiving.

 I've started gathering my Christmas spreaders placing them in matching prep bowls. I keep a tray full of baking utensils handy for decorating cookies with.

 This a set of cheese knives. Don't you love the detail on these tiny wheels of cheese?

And look at the tiny lady bugs on these flower pot spreaders!

I keep most of my collection in a pot on my countertop handy for spreading jam on toast or cheese on a cracker.

I've always got a few sets of spreaders at my booth at Merchant Square. Come and see me!

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