Fun at the flea~~~

Flea markets.
That immense treasure trove of unique finds, quirky items, one of a kind junk, and cherished heirlooms ~~~ you buy things that you love, that you can't live without and that you will figure out what to do with ---later!

Here is a pictorial rundown of how I spent (translation -blew !) about a hundred bucks at the Burlington flea market a few weeks ago.
this is the kind of thing that makes my heart stop!
vintage knitting needles!
Bought them all for
$10.00

I did not buy these dishes - but I wanted to sooo bad!
My parents once owned a set of these dishes.
I have no idea where they are now.

Not buying these is my big regret for the trip

(you know how you always have at least one regret -

that thing that you did not buy

- but wish that you had!)

~~~

If these are here the next time I go back~~~

(yea, right!)

Bought this 1950's baby carriage for Maddy girl

$20.00

and this stuffed toy sheep

that my friend Hubert named Harold.

Don't know what I am going to do with him - but he was too cute to leave

(he looked at me longingly~~~)

I said OK - because he probably won't eat much.

$6.00

~~~

you should have seen Hubert

carrying him around the flea market for me.

when we walked around,

people came from everywhere to touch him

~~~

sometimes as they walked by

they said

" Baaa"!

~~~

(really - it was like that the whole day!)

vintage plant stand

$12.00

(just perfect for 5 little bird nests!)

love the Brambly Hedge books!

totally love the little mice!!!

the illustrations are just

adorable.

$1.00

vintage linen calendars

some date back to the 60's

bought them on a dollar table

12 for $10.00

(not a single stain or tear)

they are in perfect condition~~~

saw some on a table later in the day

for $3.00 each!

(did I do good - or what! )

going to use them

to make a banner garland

for the

Sacred Yarn

room
(yes I will - you wait and see!)

vintage inspired bird dish

$4.00

way cute !

vintage taffeta seam binding

they don't even make this stuff anymore!

$1.00

(going straight into the bird nests!)

vintage patterns

$3.00

going to use the tissue paper

to make tissue roses

~~~(actually already have them made now

and displayed in the

Sacred Yarn

room-

you will see them next week!)

plastic Queen Anne's Lace flowers

$4.00

beaded garland

$10.00

my most favorite purchase of the day!

my plan for this - TOP SECRET!

(I could tell you, but then~~~)

you will see this again in July!

crochet doilly

$1.00

going to rip out the orange flowers

and use them for appliques

on things I make for

Maddy girl

and our new baby

Kerri Beth.

vintage table napkins

12 for $4.00

most are stained a little from age

just perfect for my use

~~~

gotta keep them away from the gardener (!!!)

he likes to soak things and make them

all pretty and white
~~~

am keeping these just as they are!

going to make these

into

little linen

flowers

marquisite bird house pendant watch

$6.00

does not work-

(but who cares!)~~~

wouldn't this be lovely

in a vintage

necklace?

minature grocery cart

(oh yes it is!)

$15.00

totally love this!

~~~

Hubert pushed this around

the flea market

with Harold

stuffed inside!
~~~

going to put

some summer flowers

in this!

"you know you are done at the flea

when it all starts to look alike!"

~~~

that's our motto

~~~

Hubert and I had called it quits!

we walked to the pond

to feed the geese---

but they wouldn't

eat our

popcorn!

silly geese!!!~~~

everytime I say-

"Don't let me buy the kettle popcorn!"

but I always do

and I eat

way too much!

we (Hubert, Kim and I) had a beautiful day at the flea!

but it started out cold!!!

bought this snuggly wrap in ephesus, turkey

a few years ago.

LOVE it!!!

perfect for chilly flea market days!
~~~

thought you might enjoy

seeing Maddy girl

playing with her new baby buggy

the day I gave it to her.

Listen really close to the tape to hear her talk~~~

Spring at the Biltmore Estate

Spring has returned. The earth is like a child that knows
poems~~~
The Biltmore Estate is one of our very favorite places to visit. Only about a five hour drive from our home - we are fortunate enough to visit here and relish in the colors and transformation of all the seasons. I love every season here at this beautiful estate - but there is something very special about the spring~~

Over the years I have watched this magnificent forsythia grow and continue to bloom each spring in the most magnificent show of bright yellow color. Simply stunning!

From every angle and vantage point - the mansion is so beautiful to view.

I love this picture of the gardener. Our favorite tree on the estate grounds is this beautiful Japanese cherry. When in bloom - it is so beautiful, it will take your breath away.

Another lovely view of the house, taken by me while standing under the cherry tree.

We are all smiles because we had the most wonderful day here! We have season passes to the estate - and we come here sometimes just to see a certain tree, or flower, or eat at one of our favorite restaurants. We are just silly about the Biltmore!

The coach house - one of our most beloved places here on the estate. The history of this coach house is so interesting. I am dying to go inside for a tour. Currently they do not offer tours inside the coach house - but if I can find a way to sneak in~~~

Our visit was just a little early for the tulips to be in bloom - but the flowering trees were simply outstanding. We were here right at their gorgeous peak. There is always something in bloom here - it is never the same - but it is always beautiful.

Our magnificent Japanese cherry tree is just in the back ground here. This picture is taken at the wisteria arbor - which is not in bloom yet. But when it is - Wow!

The arbor is always a welcome and wonderfully shady place to sit during the summer when we visit there.

This beautiful tree is among the oldest on the estate. I am always amazed when I see early pictures of the estate and see this tree when it was just beginning~~

The gardener is always so happy to be among the flowers here on the estate. (he hates to pose for pictures - but I can always get a smile from him here!) This is the walkway that leads from the azalea gardens to the estate.

This is the archway that leads to the conservatory. The blooms of the red and yellow mixed are so beautiful here. In the summer, this whole area is planted in lavender.

The trees are just beginning to leaf out on the estate. The colors of the red bud are striking against the early buds of the other trees. This archway is one of the entrances to the walled gardens. The area against the wall is planted in sculpted pear trees in the summer. That is an amazing sight!

Doesn't everyone who visits the Biltmore take a picture like this? How can you resist? This is the lattice grape arbor within the walled gardens.

One of my favorite places to view - the potting shed at the conservatory. My heart sings just to see this place. What I wouldn't give to be digging in the dirt here. (I wonder if they need volunteers for plantings here?)

The reflecting pond. Always so very peaceful and lovely here. Sometimes we just come here and sit~~~

The sound of the busy bees in this tree was amazing. The bees were so loving the blooms of this tree and they were so busy doing whatever it is that busy bees do. Just to stand here and listen to them was really something!

Another view of the house taken from the west lawn. Just beyond this picture is the lily pond. Sometime in early June - the pond will be full of magnificent water lily blooms. It is an amazing sight.

The tulip trees were at their peak for our visit. So rarely do the trees actually get to bloom - seems like the frost always seems to get them just before they bloom. This picture was taken just outside the winery.

A view of the winery and the walkway that leads to the newest part of the estate - the new Antler Village.

Who wouldn't want to pose in front of this beautiful tulip tree! This is taken just outside the entrance to our favorite restaurant - the Arbor Grill.

These next pictures were taken just after we left the Biltmore and went to visit the Montreat chapel. (I posted about that earlier~~). The view of Lake Sharon on the campus of the Montreat College was lovely with the reflections of the cherry trees upon the water.

Those little swans are swimming right over to us because they just knew that we were going to feed them! And they were right!

~~~~~

I feel as though I have been away from the blog for a while - and I have. I know that I have been remiss about visiting my dear blogging friends - and I am asking for a little patience. I will be back to visit you all again soon, but right now, I am called upon to help with the new little one. (Do any of you remember what it is like to a brand new Mommy and Daddy?) This gb is trying to help Kerri Beth's parents get a little rest~~~

~~~

I did bring you a few pictures of my recent visit. Do you remember the little beaded princess coat that I knitted? It is actually a little big and she has room to grow a bit and wear it for a while. (Whew!)

These pictures were taken early this morning. We had a little photo shoot in honor of her one week birthday tomorrow!

She is doing very well. Nursing great and sleeping and all the things that little brand new babies do. She does not cry very much - just when she is hungry.

Don't you just want to pick her up and kiss on her? (I have been for the last few days!) Thank you all for your continued blessings and best wishes for our new little one. I feel so very blessed to have you all as my very dear friends.

Vicki

ps - Don't worry - I am still knitting your bird nests!!!