Gardening

It's always so sad when gardening season comes to a close.  We have enjoyed lots of tomatoes this year as well as hot peppers.  Ethan has discovered that he really likes hot peppers and tries to find the hottest one by eating them all.  It's funny to watch him when his mouth is on fire! Last week, I had the boys pull the plants out of the garden.  It looks so empty now.

For those of you that don't know, I am a Master Gardener in McHenry County through the University of Illinois Extension.  I help out as much as I can on our community garden in Harvard Illinois. Every Monday during the growing season is harvest day so the vegetables can be taken to the food pantry for next day distribution.  So far this year over 5000 pounds have been harvested and donated.  Next week will be our last day of harvesting and then the hard work of cleaning up the garden begins.

It is so rewarding to be a part of this garden.  I have met some wonderful people not to mention that we have a great time while working.  The time just flies when we are laughing and talking with each other.

I have one part left in my garden to clean up.  I had put in a few raised beds and they have been shaded out in the past few years.  I plan on pulling them out and just leveling the ground where they were.  Since the weather is turning cooler, I'll be working on that project soon.

Flea market season is also coming to an end at some of my favorite markets.  Sunday is the last flea market in Cedarburg Wisconsin for the season.  It is also the harvest fair at the Union Historical museum in Union,  First Methodist church in Barrington is having their rummage sale starting on Friday at 9am.  Take advantage of the last garage sales that are going on.

Happy treasure hunting!

1 Year Anniversary

Today is my one year anniversary selling at Carriage House Antiques.  I can't believe how fast the year has gone!  I am having so much fun hunting for treasures and bringing them into the shop for others to enjoy.

I look forward to working at the store my designated days and meeting so many wonderful people. Today I was there for our open house and I met Becky from Burlap-n-Boots.  www.facebook.com/burlapnboots. She has a space at the Crystal Lake Antique Mall across the street from the Carriage House.  She makes vintage looking signs and will even customize them for you.  She will be doing a vintage market at Whispering Hills Garden Center in Crystal Lake on Sept 26 from 8-4. www.facebook.com/whisperinghillsgardencenter.

Also on Sept 26th, the Crystal Lake Antique Mall will be having a flea market in their parking lot starting at 8am.  The downtown area is having a Johnny Appleseed festival at the same time.  It is a fun day.

Saturday and Sunday Sept 19-20, is the Pecatonica IL flea market.  It's the last one of the season.  I like this flea market alot.

With fall arriving, I am sure that there will be sooooo many fun activities to choose from.  Happy treasure hunting!

Carriage House Antiques Fall Open House

Carriage House Antiques Fall Open House is scheduled for Thursday Sept 17-20.
(21 E. Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake IL)

Here are the hours:  Thursday Sept 17 from 10:30-7, Friday Sept 18 from 10:30-5, Saturday Sept 19 from 10:00-4:00 and Sunday Sept 20 from 12:00-3:00.

There will be raffles and refreshments!

*Salvage sale of doors, windows, architectural elements, hardware, tools and *jewelry will be up to 20% off.

Everything else not already reduced or marked firm will be 10% off.

We will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before the sale to prepare for it.

(Please see our Facebook page)


I hope to see many of you there!  I will be spending the next few days preparing my space with lots of wonderful treasures.  I am so excited to share them.

Happy treasure hunting!

An Unexpected Visitor

The last time I worked at the Carriage House on a rainy day, Kris and her husband Terry from Junk Chic Cottage walked through the door.  So, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that on a rainy day today, while I worked at the Carriage House, that Janet from Lucky Junk (405 S. Arlington Heights Road Arlington Heights IL) walked through the door.

This was the first time that I had met her, so of course I had to tell her that I knew of her from Kris at Junk Chic Cottage.  (What a small blog world it is).  She was delightful!   I promised to stop by her store soon.  She is open the 2nd and 4th weekends of every month.  luckyjunkshop.com

Thank you Janet for stopping by.  Hope to see you soon!


Main Street Market at the Midway Village Museum grounds in Rockford IL is Saturday Sept 12th.

Happy treasure hunting!

It's Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!  Even though it feels like summer still outside, we all know that Labor Day usually signifies summer's end.  I'm okay with that.  I am looking forward to the cool temps of the fall.  I also love the changing colors.    (I'm not ready for the "S" word though.  It's still too early for that.)

I spent a part of today putting my fall decorations outside.  It was way too hot to do more.

Speaking of hot, yesterday we went to the Cedarburg WI flea market.  It was unbearably hot.  We managed to spend the day there, but I was wiped out by the end.  It was nice to see some of the fall treasures that the dealers had set up.  The last one, October 4th, is my favorite because of all of the holiday treasures that are there.

I did find some treasures and of course I found another scale.  It is black and sooooo rusty and chipped.  It was perfect!

November 14th is a craft fair at the Elkhorn WI fair grounds.  I have gone to it before and found some really nice items.  It is held in a few different locations away from the fair grounds also and you have to drive to each one on your own.  That part was a little confusing for me since I'm not from that area, but I was given good directions from the vendors.  Just Google it to find out more.

Next weekend, Sept 12-13 is the last Mukwonago WI flea market for the season.  Sept 12 is also an art/craft fair at Northwind Perennial Farm in Burlington WI.  I like this event.  It's a wonderful place to spend the day.

I will keep you posted on the fall open house at Carriage House Antiques.  It will be in Sept.  We have some wonderful treasures to add just for the event.  It will be loads of fun.  As soon as everything is finalized, I'll be sure to blog about it. My 1 year anniversary with Carriage House Antiques is Sept 18.  I can't believe that a year has past since it has been so much fun.  It doesn't feel like that much time has past.

Happy treasure hunting!