and here we go!

First of all, let me share that this weekend....YAY!!!....is the Spring time Remnants of the Past show in Nipomo!  We have been so excited about this upcoming show...it is my very favourite among many favs...Judy Watkins organizes this show twice a year, and the dealers who come and share their treasures are my favourite dealers as well...I have often bought from almost every single one at one time or another!  If you can...take a moment to follow Judy's blog over the last few weeks and you will see what I mean!   Oh SO MANY wonderful things...I am almost hyperventilating as I write, and I know I have been up the last few nights...both thinking about my space there...(I am inside the barn just as you come in....) and also thinking about how I can make enough time to get around and see everyone before the show is over...it just gets so busy and goes by SO fast!   Be sure, if you are coming up, to get there early!  Judy has added some new dealers so there is even more to see, enjoy and take home for your very own!  I want to share one of my favourite things from last show that I brought home....that wonderful linen settee!  Sigh...Doesn"t this space look inviting?  these things are from my friends Sidney and Sandy...and they are right next to me in the barn...

And I am adding this to white wednesdays....

I also wanted to mention that the last few weeks have been a bit of a journey for me (not my normal crazy busy self getting ready for Remnants...instead I have been visiting doctor's offices and small surgeries and all, just for a little something noticed while having my eyes checked for new glasses...and I have a grateful heart for the hands, eyes and efforts of all those involved in this little process (especially my good husband, in whom I am truly blessed), and a thankful heart to God for having His hand in this whole thing...timing, results, people, care, and more...
all this to say...Do NOT let "little things" go...thinking, I will take care of this later, when I have more time (and when does that ever happen?)  be "care-ful" of others and yourself...be proactive...and along with these things, DO things to help take care of yourselves...excercise, REST (oh yes! this is important!) RE CREATE...all the best to you all,
kate

bits of whimsy...

It is always fun to have the camera (or in most cases, my cell phone...(note to self...how far we have all come from our little kodak cameras!))  out to catch little moments, quick vignettes, and whimsical fancies!

snapped a quick picture of a table full of goodies....just before I started organizing them for sale this last fleamarket...my sons help me by putting everything out...then they go shop and I get to work organizing it all into little vignettes...but I thought this looked fun just as it was...a little chaotic!

Just lately, my good husband and I have been chatting about trying experience things a little differently, view with an author or a painter's eye...capturing stories, and imagining...And part of that is doing things out of your normal routine...
We have had the interesting experience of being without television for several months (part of the long story mentioned in a previous post)...& we have been reading quite a bit (could not be happier about that!) and then sharing with each other bits from books we are both reading (just now he is reading a "a Brief History of the World" and I just finished "The Dressmaker" (good writing style, fairly good storyline))  I am trying to decide what to read next...hmmm....
I am quite enjoying this!  But on a side note...what is everyone doing about the sad demise of bookstores?  It seems they are all closing down.....it just does not seem the same to pop on to the internet to browse for a book as it is to grab a cup of coffee...wander the aisles and settle on a few good reads....I am seriously starting to miss that!
Anyway...more later...here is to seeing and expressing our creative visions...
And I have to say, I am always inspired by all of you who share your creative vision during  White Wednesdays ...thank you!!!  Kate

Sunny Blue Skies & Happy People...Alameda Antiques Faire

Isn't it amazing what a little sunshine and blue sky will do for peoples' spirits?  It was such a pretty day on Sunday and apparently many many thousands of people thought so to and decided it would be nice to go flea marketing at Alameda... my good sons and I were there, fresh from Texas, and meeting some amazing folk!

 Though I will admit we were a little tired from the adventures of the previous week, we packed up our trailer and drove on up the coast to San Francisco to join in the fun and sun...

I have some favourite dealers I like to visit early in the day for their treasures, though it is not so easy to do that when I am selling there as well!  My sons and I TRY to take it in turns to walk about and see things, (picking up a treasure here and there)...and I REALLY enjoy visiting with all our friends who share in this gypsy life!  (Hello Tim & Lisa, Coco & Fred, Bombshell Betty....!)

Once the day begins in earnest...it is time to get down to "business" which for me, is about meeting new folk and sharing stories about the things we have in our booth...I am (admittedly) a history wonk...and you can count on me to find out what that funny looking thingy is and what in the world it was used for...

Thanks to our new friends as well for stopping by our booth to say hello!  The three fabulous ladies from the 3 Speckled Hens came by ...and how much fun were the Farmyard Darlings!...and Katrien from voilagallery...amazing designs!
Getting to know all of you makes this "job" a real pleasure!  THANK YOU! and Happy April!