Events

P. Allen Smith is always an amazing speaker.  My friend Mary and I had a wonderful time at the Proven Winners event May 14 at the Chicago Botanic Garden. We ran into a few Master Gardener friends to share the day with.   It was the perfect venue for this event even though it was freezing outside.  The flowers were in bloom so our short walk from the parking lot to the event was breathtaking.

We chased P. Allen Smith down to take this picture.  Kind of like we were his groupies.  He was so accommodating and gracious.

Another speaker we enjoyed was Jack Barnwell from Mackinac Island in Michigan.  He was young and so full of energy that we were fully entertained.  

On my bucket list is a trip to the home of P. Allen Smith in Arkansas.  He opens it up for tours and events.  

This weekend I had a chance to visit the Dane County Farmers Market in Madison Wisconsin.  The weather was amazing!  We came home with some cheese, of course.

One vendor had these amazingly large hanging baskets for only $20.  I didn't buy any but just had to take a picture of them.  The rhubarb and radishes at most of the booths were so large and beautiful. What a good year for both of them.  I love the huge variety of flowers and pastries that are offered at this market.  It's a definite destination that is worth revisiting.

This Sunday, May 29, is the first Cedarburg WI flea market.  Not only is this one of my favorite flea markets, but the town is so charming.  We love to walk around it after our treasure hunting day.  June 4-5 is a really nice event at the Klehm Arboretum in Rockford.  There are so many flowers to choose from at really low prices as well as some garden art.

Happy treasure hunting!

Spring Open House at the Carriage House

Today starts the open house Thinking Out of the "Planter" Box sale at Carriage House Antiques in Crystal Lake. https://www.facebook.com/Carriage-House-Antiques-200034153465752/

We have been busy bringing in new treasures and setting everything up.  It looks great!  The sale runs from Thursday through Sunday.

Other sales:  Northwind Perennial Nursery in Burlington WI is having their Antique Fair on Friday and Saturday.  It's a beautiful setting and filled with treasures. Friday June 3 has 2 church rummage sales that day starting at 9am at the church in Ridgefield and the other is at the church in Crystal Lake on the corner of Crystal Lake Avenue and McHenry Avenue.  Both are really good sales usually.

There are sooooo many listings today for sales.  Enjoy them!

Happy treasure hunting!

Mother's Day Gift of Yard Work

Happy Mother's Day! Hope your day was special in some way.

All I wanted for Mother's Day was to have help with the yard work.  It was the first mowing and there were soooo many weeds to pull and plants to plant.  So, everyone pitched in and the work went fast.  Or maybe it was just easier for me. I don't mind doing the yard work, but the first few times are overwhelming.

I would rather be rearranging vignettes in my yard and enjoying those I created before.

On Saturday, I had visited the market on Pepper Road in Lake Barrington.  I especially loved the booth by Savvycityfarmer. http://savvycityfarmer.com/blog  Joy always has the most wonderful treasures and her displays are amazing.

I purchased a simple rosemary topiary for my yard.

There are some sales this week:  At 9am on Thursday is the Service League of Crystal Lake rummage sale at the Dole Mansion and at 3pm is a rummage sale at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock. Friday at 8am is a rummage sale at the church on Walkup in Crystal Lake.(I can't remember the name but if you go, it's closer to Crystal Springs Rd if you are heading towards McHenry.)  Saturday and Sunday is the Pecatonica Flea Market and on Sunday is the first Elkhorn WI flea market of the season.  Saturday at the Chicago Botanic Garden is the Proven Winners event with P. Allen Smith https://www.provenwinners.com/Outdoor-Living-Extravaganza-2016  I'm going to this.  I saw P. Allen Smith before and he is an amazing speaker.  He is so charismatic!  I can't wait.....

Happy treasure hunting!