Our Chicago Trip: Part 1

Hi, everyone!

Every year Keith and I like to take a 'getaway' trip to Chicago.  It's only about an hour flight, and we love the energy of the city!  So last week we spent the week there.

This year my good friend Kris (Junk Chic Cottage) graciously invited us to stay with her and her hubby Terry for our first night.

Let me tell you, these 2 are definitely the 'hosts with the most'!!  (And how cute are they? :)

For 2 FULL days, I don't think we possibly could have packed in more eating, gabbing, shopping, and laughing if we tried!!

Kris picked us up at the airport, then she and I immediately began our shopping extravaganza!!

Our first stop was Tattered 'Tiques.  She took us there on our visit last year, and it was fun to go again...love those girls!

Next we went to Lucky Junk where the owner Janet opened just for us! (Kris has star status in this town, I tell ya! ;)

This shop is really fantastic!

Kris then took me to the quaint town of Geneva...

...where we hit more shops, of course!

When we later got to Kris and Terry's home we were greeted by a pretty fall yard...

...a dreamy guest room...

....some thoughtful gifts...

...and even a welcoming committee!! (Just look at that face!)

We had a wonderful dinner out...

...did more shopping that night (here's a fun Pottery Barn display)...

...then started all over again the next day!

Kris spoiled us with a gourmet breakfast!

These sweet little chickens held a delicious egg strata, and she also made a French toast dish that was to die for!  (Keith and I kept joking that we were going to cancel our reservations in the city, and just stay with them our entire trip!)

The boys went with us to the charming town of Morris the second day.   More fun shops!

Here's Keith using the 'man chair' in one of the shops, joking about something...

They took us to lunch at an adorable Tea Room called Letty Mae's.

The food was scrumptious!  I got pumpkin soup and a peach muffin...yum!

Aren't the boys cute surrounded by girly stuff?  :)

Another shop that we hit later on (you know I'm LOVING this display!)...

(We did more running around, but I took a break from taking pictures.)
Later that day we also got to meet their daughter, son-in-law, and adorable granddaughter!

It was such a pleasure spending time with Kris and Terry and meeting their lovely family, too!

We had the best time together, made some wonderful memories, and we really appreciate their hospitality!

And of course Kris and I did some GOOD junkin'!
I had a big box full of goodies that we shipped home, so I'll be showing you some of my finds soon.

I'm trying to get back into the 'groove' after being on vacation and taking a break from the computer, so I have lots of catching up to do!
Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a fantastic week! :)

Saturday Spotlight: Cindy from Old Time Farmhouse

Hi, everyone!   Kris from Junk Chic Cottage and I wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Kris's and my blog. 

      

Today my guest is a wonderful blogger named Cindy, from Old Time Farmhouse.  Cindy shares my love of junkin' and she lives a truly simple, 'country' lifestyle.  Wait til you see her stunning views!

I know that you'll enjoy getting to know Cindy and more of her story.

Thanks, Susan, for inviting me over to your place. You're such a sweetie! Hey y'all! I'm Cindy from Old Time Farmhouse.  I'm an old soul who is just a youngin' at heart. I live in the rolling hills of Kentucky, the beautiful bluegrass state.

"Life is amazingly good when it's simple and amazingly simple when it's good." ~Terri Guillemets   I choose to live a sweet and simple life out in the country. I can be a homebody sometimes, because my favorite place to be is in my backyard. While there, I enjoy...

working in my garden... and sitting on a bench overlooking the lake, and in the evening, sipping a glass of wine in front of the fire pit. My paradise!

So who am I, really? Well, I've been an entrepreneur most of my life starting as a young child going door to door selling Christmas cards. 

Then in the 1980's, I had my first brick and mortar shop. It was in an old house and I carried a variety of items with an emphasis on vintage and antiques. The house was a mess and we had to put a new floor in before we could open. It was so rotten that hubby fell through it while tearing it out. OUCH! He's a trooper and supports every wild thing I come up with.  

Notice the sign in front of the shop? Yep, that's a headboard. We were doing things like that clear back in the 80's. (smile) Back in the day, that style was called 'country'. Today, it's called 'farmhouse' decor and it has always been the look I prefer in my home. With a vintage flair, of course.

I currently run an online Etsy shop, Old Time Pickers, that carries items that are rust & crust and weathered & worn. 

My great-grandparents, Frank and Ina Mae, are my inspiration. I really come from a long line of pickers. LOL! And once you start, you just can't stop!

My latest adventure is opening a new online business called Old Time Farmhouse. I'm so excited about this. The focus will be on my rustic, handcrafted soaps along with farmhouse style items for the home. It will be a wonderful mix of handmade, vintage, and new. 

My kickoff will be a show in Glendale, KY on October 18. I decided to do this show on a whim with less than two months to prepare, including making soap. We haven't done a show in years! Years, I tell you. The thing is, I've been playing around with this Old Time Farmhouse idea for a long time. Nothing like making a commitment, such as a show, to put a hustle in my bustle. Ready or not, here I come!

  And here are some more tidbits about me... ~I'm a proud grandmother of an adorable little girl who has a down on the farm lifestyle.

~I enjoy reading Amish fiction when I find any spare time.

~I adopt every stray critter that happens to wander into my yard including a rooster I named Roo.

~Besides being an entrepreneur, I've had a variety of careers including being a kindergarten teacher and a director for a college.

~I'm a nature lover and a tree hugger.
Plans for my future... ~I'm wanting to expand my herbal garden and my knowledge of how to use herbs. Lavender and mint are my favorites.

~I'm looking into possibly becoming a beekeeper, someday, as I've always been fascinated with bees. ~And, of course, I hope to be healthy, happy, and remain blessed in whatever I do. Life is good when it's based on faith, family, and friends.
So there you have it. As I said, my life is pretty sweet and simple. If you want to know more, you can find me here... Old Time Farmhouse Blog Old Time Pickers Etsy Shop Old Time Farmhouse Shop (in the making) I'd like to thank you, Susan, for having me. Girl, you really need to come on over sometime so we can have a glass of wine by the lake! 

Farmhouse hugs to all!
Cindy, thanks so much for sharing!  I would never leave that back yard! (And I'd LOVE to come by for a glass of wine :) Please visit Old Time Farmhouse, then hop over to Kris's blog to read about Victoria from Trois Petite Filles. Have a wonderful day :)

Fall Mantel 2014

Hi, everyone!

I just completed my fall mantel so I thought I'd share it with you.  I kept it simple (as always) and went for a more 'French farmhouse' look.

I used this beautiful Madonna as a starting point.  She was one of my birthday gifts from my mom, and she's a favorite!
I recently found this Rosary at the flea market and think it's perfect draped on her.

Beside her is a metal candlestick adorned with crystals (the pair also gifted to me by my mom, years ago) with a tiny faux pumpkin perched on top.

Next, as a centerpiece I filled a white ironstone pitcher with pheasant feathers, placed it on a stack of vintage books...

...and snuggled it up against a couple of sweet sweater pumpkins!

To the far right I added a matching candlestick and pumpkin...

...along with a pretty metal lantern.

I used a new backdrop for this whole vignette...a huge shabby but ornate window that I picked up at a friend's garage sale!  This baby is HEAVY!

I fell in love with it, and she let me have it for a steal!

(Love that is still has some original, rusty hardware attached!)

And I left my trusty burlap and rhinestone banner up!

So there you have it!

My mantel is finally dressed for fall!

( To complete the look, I added some tall rustic candle holders and a large wicker bottle to the hearth.)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a fantastic week :)