Search Results for: The vintage bazaar

Off to the Vintage Bazaar!

Dear Sisters,

Before we get lost in the isles at The Vintage Bazaar let me first wish you all a very HAPPY FALL! I know I’ve told you this before but fall is my all time favorite season. Indian summer days filled with golden sunshine, cloudless clear blue skies and cooler nights for sleeping with the windows open have returned. Just in time for apple picking, fall festivals, and flea market shopping at it’s finest! Who’s up for an early fall farmgirl adventure? Think Round top East!

Off we go to The Vintage Bazaar where nothing but the finest rust, must, dinge and dust await!

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Vintage Glamping Dream Come True – And A Giveaway!

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In September, my husband Kim and I celebrate our 25th anniversary! One dream we’ve always shared is someday having a camper or RV.

I’d be hard-pressed to count all the ways MaryJane’s influenced me! When I first saw MaryJane’s writing on “Glamping” (she originally coined that word!) – that was it! Our dream morphed to wanting a vintage camper. Recently, that wish came true!

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VIP Vintage ” COWGIRL” Fashion Show

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Dear Sisters,

Welcome to Part 2 of ” our ” Fall Junkin’ Junket! When we parted ways last time we’d made our way through most of the fabulous booths at The Vintage Bazaar in Salisbury, MA. and The VIP Vintage Fashion Show was about to start! If you missed Part 1, Click here to catch up! Come on! Let’s go! Continue reading

VIP Vintage " COWGIRL" Fashion Show

080-001 edit

Dear Sisters,

Welcome to Part 2 of ” our ” Fall Junkin’ Junket! When we parted ways last time we’d made our way through most of the fabulous booths at The Vintage Bazaar in Salisbury, MA. and The VIP Vintage Fashion Show was about to start! If you missed Part 1, Click here to catch up! Come on! Let’s go! Continue reading

Just Bloom

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Plant your wildest dream seeds and grow a patch of wonderful. Deb Bosworth

Dear sisters,

I think you’ll agree we farmgirls are constantly looking for fun ways to do new things with an old-fashioned farmgirl twist!  Whether it’s making totes bags from reusable feed-sacks, re-vamping your glamper-camper, building your first chicken coop or dairy barn or starting your own farmgirl enterprise, Mary Jane has us covered. With a fearless farmgirl leader like Sister #1 at the helm, how can you NOT just bloom? And I mean B.L.O.O.M! Continue reading

Fall Junkin’ Junket

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“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” —Jim Bishop

Dear Sisters,

What’s more fun that grabbing your best junkin’ gal pal and heading for prime hunting grounds on a perfect fall day? My friend, Melissa ( Tilly’s Nest Blog ) and I have made it our fall ritual to hit the road every time The Vintage Bazaar comes to town. You didn’t think we’d leave you out did you? Come on in! It’s pickin’ at its prime!

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Fall Junkin' Junket

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“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” —Jim Bishop

Dear Sisters,

What’s more fun that grabbing your best junkin’ gal pal and heading for prime hunting grounds on a perfect fall day? My friend, Melissa ( Tilly’s Nest Blog ) and I have made it our fall ritual to hit the road every time The Vintage Bazaar comes to town. You didn’t think we’d leave you out did you? Come on in! It’s pickin’ at its prime!

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Charming New England Christmas Traditions

Having four seasons in New England is wonderful. Each season has it’s charm, but Christmastime is extra-special. I REALLY love Christmas. One thing I love about the holidays is having something to look forward to. Activities don’t have to cost a lot; many of the fun things around Connecticut are either low cost, free, or by donation. 

Almost every town or hamlet in Connecticut has a “town green”, and a tree lighting. Our town actually has two.

My daughter and I love going together. We see friends, there are families and people of all ages sharing cheer, and carols are sung. It almost feels like we are “extras” in a special episode of the old “Gilmore Girls” show (also based in Connecticut). 

There are so many wonderful, old churches all over the state. They are all so beautiful. The South Britain Congregational Church hosts a Victorian Tea, open to the public, each holiday. My friend, Linda, and I have been attending each year together for so long, we now know the ladies who work so hard to make it happen by name, and have even gotten to know some of the other attendees!

This year’s desserts were all so fantastic!

It is a wonderful, festive luncheon, with good food, good cheer, and a lovely area of handmade gifts for sale, as well. 

Another wonderful tradition, the Annual Gingerbread Village and Christmas Bazaar at St. George’s Episcopal Church, in Middlebury, Connecticut, is something my family and I won’t miss.

We’ve been attending since my daughter was a baby. This year marked the church’s 56th year for the annual tradition! Each time, I think I must have seen it all, and each year, they wow us again! This year was no exception. I am in awe at the detail (everything, except for the actual lighting, is made from edible material).

Look at the details! These bakers are artists!

My mind is blown by all their beautiful, hard work, as I am great at tedious tasks and details of all sorts, but have never been able to make a gingerbread house look so wonderful as these amazing bakers do.

Cranberries are such a big part of New England, and one of my favorite ingredients in so many foods this time of year. I also love homemade gifts. Homemade gifts are made with LOVE! I may not be able to make a good-looking gingerbread house, but I am a whiz in the kitchen. One of my favorite things to make and give, especially this time of year, is homemade jam. This year, I made “Christmas Jam”, and my family has declared it my best jam ever! After going over many recipes, I really found none I liked. They either had too many ingredients, too much sugar, or included butter (we have a family member with a dairy allergy, unfortunately). My version of “Christmas Jam” uses simple ingredients, similar to my other jam recipes, and only four cups of sugar. What’s also nice about canning jam is you can use the water bath method, and do not have to use a pressure canner. The naturally bright, red color of this jam makes it a stunning holiday gift. It’s delectable on fresh bread, or served as an appetizer atop a cracker and a nice cheese like a sharp cheddar or brie. Here is my gift to you, dear readers, my recipe for “Christmas Jam”. Enjoy!

The fruit will look chunky at this point. The cranberries will soften up as they cook.
Me and my sweetheart – we love decorating for Christmas and picking a fresh tree.This is our 33rd Christmas together.

There are so many wonderful, small, family farms in New England. One of our Christmas traditions in our family involves getting a fresh tree from Jones Family farm in Monroe.

We are the Griswolds, LOL!
What a beautiful tree we got this year!

Another tradition is enjoying a delicious ice cream sundae in the cozy, decorated room at Rich Farm, in Oxford, before they close up late in the month for a bit in winter. 

Another thing I love about New England is how everyone decorates. Stores, streets, and homes – inside and out, are all dressed up in twinkling lights and decorations.

My personal favorite decorations are all old, vintage, or vintage-inspired, and I love to incorporate decor that I already have, making it more “Christmas-y”.

Everything on this table has been gifted to me through the years. Warms my heart!
My “shabby chic” porch for Christmas
My daughter’s childhood skates are now part of Christmas decor.

We have had two “Christmas Snows” blanket us already, which just add to the festive feel of the season here in New England.

Trooper disagrees. “Who ordered this? I did not!”

Someone said to me recently, “No one sends Christmas cards anymore!” I beg to disagree. Yes, the price of stamps has gone up. But sending cards at Christmas should not be looked at as a chore!

This year’s cards so far – the holder is one I bought over 30 years ago.

I love to send cards, and work on mine gradually, while drinking my morning coffee or watching television at night with my family. We’ve already received quite a few, in the mail, and at my doll club meeting, and it is a tradition I love! I cherish handwritten cards I have kept through the years, from special friends and family that are no longer with us. 

This is me at four. My face shows how I felt about Christmas. 

Honestly, it is how I feel about it now, and think I am actually part elf. In all seriousness, though, I think we adults sometimes forget that childlike wonder. Letting ourselves enjoy the magic of the season is what brings the true joy and meaning of the holidays. It’s been a rough year for so many. Personally, this has been an awful year, with the passing of more friends and loved ones than any other before.  My Christmas card list has sadly gotten smaller, and I truly miss those who have departed. I  hold them close in my heart as I embrace the joy of this wonderful season. 

Tail wags and Farmgirl Hugs!

A Suburban Small Town Christmas

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Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happiest of Holidays to you and yours! It is truly my favorite time of year. I (happily) feel like one of Santa’s elves during December! After spending the first half of my life in a big Southern city, even though we have no family living close by, we are blessed that we’ve lived in a small New England town the last quarter century, especially at the holidays! Grab a cup of cocoa, take a break from the “busy”, and enjoy some “MERRY” with me!

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Selfish Summer Joys

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Pink chair in the chicken garden.

Dear Sisters,

Boy howdy, has it been hot here on the shorelines. Not only has it been hot and humid, but we’re lacking in rainfall, too. About 8 inches below normal according to the weather reports. Meanwhile, the rest of the world seems to be going bonkers. I’m doing my best to wrap my farmgirl brain around all the senseless violence centered around racial tension in our country right now and what may be the most unbelievable political campaign I’ve witnessed so far in my 54 years on earth. If I’m being honest, I’d like to stick my head in the sand until it all goes away but farmgirls don’t quit when the goin’ gets tough. In fact, it’s the tough times that spur us on to help others and to BE better to others. So in true farmgirl fashion I’m doing what I do best to shed some light on some of the darkness that we’re all living through. Come on in for a glimpse of my Selfish Summer Joys! Continue reading