Ladies Take On Florida

Spring Break 2015!

This year we took along a friend who enjoys sunsets as much as we do.

For years, my friend Wanda has commented and liked my photos of sunsets when we have vacationed in Sarasota.

Our paths crossed many years ago when she gave me my first hair cut. We stayed connected over the years mostly by social media. Occasionally we'd get to do lunch or parties together. So when I saw her on one of the coldest days this winter at the local post office. I asked her, "So, are you going to go with us to see the sunsets in person this year?" She quickly replied "YES! I am!" She later told me she surprised herself with her boldness of just saying she was going and not knowing what it would hold.

A few texts and a couple of weeks later, the day finally came for the ladies to head south.

Little did we know that we'd face an obstacle on the day we were to leave for vacation.

A big, wild turkey flew into our windshield. So when I sent Wanda this picture, her wheels started spinning for our next plan. She soon texted back that we could use her company van, and a couple hours later we were on the way.

We have been having many firsts on this adventure.

We couldn't have picked a greater traveling partner!

Wanda has blessed us with her presence and feels like she been part of our family for years. Here she is trying her first sushi with my daughters.

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We have found many treasures while thrifting.

We have managed to find our secret beaches where you don't see half of our community sunbathing on their spring break.

At the Sarasota Farmers Market, we were so excited to see our sweet friend Angela who lives here 

This is always a Saturday morning favorite.

Our sweet Wanda has spoiled us with serving us and cleaning up after us. She has such a servant's heart.

One day we went to the Jetty in Venice.

Its always a hoot when I hang out with my girls. They're the crazies, funniest people I know.

On this day, the girls and I tried our first oysters.

Angela took us for our first Anna Marie Donuts.

Still thinking about this experience. The bacon caramel donut was AAAMAZING!

Wanda's first Ross shopping. She's hooked:)

The Croissant & Co. in Venice makes you feel like you're in France.



God gave us this kiss. I happened to capture the moment when one of the dolphins surfaced.

I always stop to admire these bright Easter-egg-colored houses that should be a part of a dream.

I was so happy to find this piece of driftwood. I will be using it to display our Farmhouse Frocks spoon rings. Do you see the cross that showed up in the picture?

We also drove down the road where the rich and famous live and took a picture of Oprah's house.

We have so enjoyed our company and exploring all the treasures that Sarasota offers as we rejuvenate our souls for the reality that will hit us soon enough.

As we soak up the last days in the sun and try to absorb every sunset, we consider ourselves blessed by the new addition to our family.

Wanda, you're a gem and we love you!

Unexpected Estate Sale Treasures

Today I had one mission, and one mission only, and that was not, under any circumstances, to leave my house.

I wanted to catch up on laundry, re-do my house, finish projects I had started for the Vintage Glam Studio, and tie up loose ends with bills and bookwork. So, when I got the call from my sweet friend Julia (above) about this estate sale that was having its last day and was in the throes of "let's make a deal," I was like, "Send pictures!" thinking to myself, This has to be a REAL good one, or I'm not going, especially given my endless to-do list.

Soon, the pictures rolled in, proving themselves to be worthy, and I responded, "I'm on my way".

I counted the cash in my purse on the way, thinking, I'm glad I don't have more, so I'm not tempted to buy what I don't need.

I got there and did the walk-through, thinking, Oh my! I should have brought more cash. Good thing I had enough of the green stuff to take this Coleman cooler home with me. 

This full set of gold-plated pineapple (8) glasses and complete juice set (10) with pitcher were the first things I bought. It's going to be tough not to keep this set. It's absolutely gorgeous. The picture doesn't do it justice. 

Loved these teal treasure finds. The tablets are from the...

...Barton Print Shop (since 1932) in Millersburg, Ohio. Also Joe Carnes from New Philadelphia, Ohio. The phone # is 6-5845. Do you remember when the phone numbers were like that?

These old wooden hangers caught my eye after I had paid. They were hiding under a table.

I'm keeping this butcher block cutting board for myself. Will be beautiful to serve cheese and olives on for hosting.

 I remember eating off of one these at my grandma's and aunt's houses. As I picked it up, the granddaughter of the household owner exclaimed, "I remember eating off of that!"

Here's another piece I almost missed. This sweet little wooden cabinet had to be unscrewed from the wall for me. Loved the treasures I found inside. It had old hooks for a shelf, which will be fun to find homes for.

This old lock and glass shampoo bottle were in this sewing box...

...along with lots of wooden spools.

These are the old-fashioned style clothes pins and by the texture, I can tell they have been handled many times. Think of all the love and acts of service that are in those pins.

For now, I piled them into these gallon jugs in my kitchen to remind me to be like the women from "back in the days," when they didn't whine about serving their families.

Check out these beautiful, vintage umbrellas that were in great shape. JACKPOT!

I really had to think about this projector, but was in such great shape, I couldn't turn it down. You will be able to buy it at the store.

Got a whole stack of vintage suitcases.

Here's another one displayed in our living room. Also scored that old quilt on my couch. I'm so happy with this treasure. It makes my living room cozy. Oh, and by the way, I did get the house all cozy, in spite of my treasure-hunting.

And I even cleaned out one of my flowerbeds and readied it for fall.

However, I never finished this coffee table for the store. Oh, well. Another day, another way.

These Good*Old*Days magazines from the 70's were in the free pile. There were also a bunch of old Holmes County Magazines. I told them to donate them to the Holmes County Library for their history room.

Funny story about these vintage bloomers. As I was backing out of the estate sale, Julia and Georgia insisted I needed these, too. They will make a fun storefront window display someday.

Speaking of the front window displays, here's the one we did this week. Now, people can see what we will have. We are shooting for October 1st for opening day.

So stinking excited!!!

As I left this sale, I felt blessed for friends like Julia who have my back when I'm too busy with life that I almost miss sales like these. If I get a deal, you will get a deal.

My Mom called me as I was leaving and asked if I could pick up pink lemonade for the party she was hosting tonight, so I did that, too. I officially have a new respect for this quaint little town with these amazing treasures.

Tonight, as I see Daisy the dog all snuggled up on our "new" old quilt, I'm feeling truly blessed for this day that didn't go as planned.

It was way more than I had planned, and I'm thankful for friends, old people and sunshine.

  



A Day With Little Katie In Amish Country

Remember when I wrote a blog on Little Lady In Little House?

Well my friend Katie Troyer from Sarasota, Florida spend the day with me yesterday. I went to pick her up at her sister Clara's house in morning.

I took a big fat pillow so she could sit on it to see out.

Her only request for the day was to drive around Amish Country and see people out and about in fields and for her to be able to take pictures.

Above we drove past a beautiful trimmed Amish vineyard. The skies were so fluffy too.

After making a delivery for my company we came back to my house. Where I

served a simple lunch her and a of couple friends.

I threw this lunch together last minute and am going to do another blog on that. It doesn't take much to make someone feel special. The conversation at a setting like this is really what counts.

So after great conversation and lunch we went to pick up my daughter Sydni at her school.

Then continued to fulfill Katie's wish for the day.

It was a beautiful day out and we were blessed with many pictures for her to take back to Florida. Where she will share on her face book and write blogs. Google Katie Troyer blogs in Sarasota and you will find her. That is how we met. I was inspired with how she looked at things in life and what angle she takes her pictures.

My son Quinton usually doesn't like his picture being taken. Here he is smiling from ear to ear because Katie makes him feel tall.

Loved this shot with the laundry blowing in the wind.

Between Katie's eye or mine and Syd's we made plenty of quick stops for the perfect shot. As Katie said with a giggle." Oh never mind us we are just tourists from Florida."

Can't wait to see what she comes up with in her blog. Since I was driving I only got a couple snapshots.

Alice the cow glared at us.

 

I truely enjoyed my day with a fellow blogger Katie Troyer and other friends.

Thanks for going with us around Amish Country.