Requiem for Arthur Frost

This sweet boy came to live with us last year... his story is here.  And sadly we had to let him go.  We have to face that his life was cut short by the abandon and free reign that we allow our cats.  It wasn't a predator, coyote or owl.  Could it have been poison, or an errant shot?  Or was his irregular heart rhythm a factor? 

As much as his humans miss him, Motto Guzzi is lost.

 I've not had two cats live together before, and these two after an introductory period of a week become inseparable companions.  Moto outweighed Arthur by several pounds.  They would typically put a strangle hold on each other before getting comfortable.  Arthur's playful nature, fearless tree climbing and superior mousing ability kept our tabby engaged and more fit.

Shortly after this picture was taken, my mother encouraged him to go to the fields for another, and he complied.

Spooky

I simply love white pumpkins.

This photo was taken originally for a product shot of the vintage Sioux Steel parts bins that are in shop.  I was losing daylight and had discarded it as it was too dark.  But, I took another look today, re-cropped and blew it up four hundred percent and love the painterly quality.  Look at that bittersweet and pumpkin vine! 

Must go get candy for the trick and treaters...happy halloween!

Tomato Overload

In July, I sincerely thought that this year's garden would be unsurpassed...then came August and the drought and my Purple Cherokees, Stripey's and German Greens all but dried up.
So... I've loaded the shop with some delicious tomato reds:

10 orange lotus bowls...got these at Junk Bonanza and I love them for my fall shop banner!

tomato red dutch oven by west bend

old new stock melmac with the Target stickers still on them

can you ID this glass pattern?

decorative butter molds

dansk with me...

Fall Clean Up

It's been over a week since the fabulous Junk Bonanza.  Martha and team rocked the show, so we were told.  For a detailed story head on over to opendoorstudio.

My fall clean up includes getting those orphans that didn't sell back in the shop.
here's a few:

 mid century arrow ashcan

great little shelf I painted Etsy Orange

 ditto on the mirrors

collection of juice glasses

52 piece set of Shenango restaurant china in brick red and platinum

tin match safe

 seriously, I don't smoke

I'm off to Tractor Supply for some yard clean up products, and a lawn tractor mount sprayer.

This summer's drought and several years of lawn neglect have left a lot of damage.

I have relied on the good graces of my neighbor John last fall, but I am going to invest 250.00 in my own sprayer to get the job done.  

Or I could get goats.

Junk Bonanza, Building the Booth, Building our Team

Thom working on the bare bones of the structure that supports the 10x20 space

Niki strikes a pose

Linnea is arranging the hardware

Nickey from Etsy admin taking our group portrait

fashion sense

a happy shopper puts her feet up, that orange ottoman SOLD

Niki working the checkout area

Thom ditches the flip flops for more practical footwear

Day three is dawning, and I need to get my Bonanza on...look for more photos soon!

Get Ready, Get Set, Get Junk!

In one week, the three day Junk Bonanza at Canterbury Downs will commence!
My vintage team mates from the VintageEtsySocietyStreetTeam are arriving early next week for a day of strategy and set up before the fun/havoc begins on Thursday... early bird times are available.

This is a juried show, and I am thrilled that our team and my shop was chosen to represent the vintage face of Etsy for this event.  Our booth will be stocked with colorful, mid century modern finds.  

We'll replenish each night so that the space will evolve.  I have no worries that we will run out of stock.  I've seen previews and the list is astounding!

skirt hangers as inspiration board

I have dozens of original catalog pages from the 1929 Sear&Roebuck catalog for sale...great deco fashion and home decor

danish modern teak and stainless serving pieces

Look for the theBestVintage team and Etsy booth space 315 and 316

If you cannot be in Shakopee next week, visit our online shops, search theBestVintage.

Many of us are offering a storewide coupon during Junk Bonanaza,

see each shop for details!

top of the mountain

They survived Glacier National with blisters and no incidents with bears. 
As mom and godmother, I am relieved that the seven days that they were in the park and out of touch are over.  And I can't help but wonder if I had asked more of my twenty-seven year old self, how would it have shaped my body...my constitution... my path.

Caroline, Brian and Ryan...the exhilaration of your climb is written all over this photo.