Fall fun in Vermont!

I just got home from a fabulous girlfriend trip to Vermont and beyond (beyond will be another post). 

I went with Teri and Sue, sister-friends since grade and high school. We stayed in a camp
on Lake Dunmore. I Learned from November's Country Living magazine (page 52)
 that location generally dictates what a 2nd home dwelling is called.
In New England and the Adirondacks, it is a camp. In the West,
South and Midwest, it is called a cabin  and along the coast
 or Great Lakes, it is a cottage (who knew). 

The best part of Vermont is most all the roads are just two lane and they have very few freeway

type roads. Also, we were told, no billboards! Around every bend, it looks just like the
postcards you've seen, Sometimes it is green, sometimes the colors of fall or winter bare.

This video shows some of what we saw. We arrived on Sept 29 and didn't see the leaves we were hoping for but by the end of our visit Oct 7, the colors were gorgeous. Sorry the pics do 
not do  them justice. The dialog is weak too but enjoy the view.

We visited too many small towns to mention but several displayed these darling
"leaf people", especially Brandon, VT, a darling town, south of our Lake.

 A few other sites in Brandon. We had a fabulous lunch at this French cafe and enjoyed
the shops. Met a few fabulous artists.




Here are the three of us in a leaf peeping selfie groupie). Melin, Teri and Sue, besties forever!

 
The farther North and the deeper into the mountains we went, the prettier the colors, especially in Stowe! The
hillsides look like a fall patchwork quilt.

  A few of the sites in Stowe. We arrived late in the day but the colors did not disappoint. They were breathtaking! 

 This is our beautiful Lake Dunmore!

As we said goodbye to Vermont, we had to make one more stop at this darling country store
who had the best homemade fudge with salted caramel and they ship!

 All photos are taken with my iPhone. If you want a fun fall vacation, consider
visiting Vermont. We are so glad we did.
Melin

Susan Branch at Apple Farm

I flew to Los Angeles this spring to spend a glorious week with my 

bestie,  assistant WE buyer-promoter-slave and sister, Linda Howard. 

We spent some time catching up,seeing my extended family, the beach,

 etc, then set out on a girlfriend's adventure to SOL. 

I had really only been through  San Luis Obispo and never stayed.

Our drive up the coast was fun. We stopped and explored (SHOPPED)

 in Arroyo Grande, a small town we both love. We could hardly wait 

to get to the Apple Farm Inn, so we didn't stay long.

I LOVED everything about the Inn, especially the flowers! I tried to do

 what the sign says. I am a rule follower, for the most part. 

The Inn is charming and the staff could not have been more welcoming and fun. 

They greeted us with wine and cookies and more.  Our room was close 

to the reception area...convenient!

They have a wonderful gift shop (more shopping) and tables with decor

 set  up all over the Inn for purchase, plus it was so springy!

The exciting person that brought us here is our beloved Susan Branch!

We could hardly wait to see her, hear her, be near her and talk to her. 

I know it sounds like we could be stalkers but we admire her  work and have all her

  books and just know she loves us as much as we love her (she really does)!

Once we checked in and received our wrist bands, we were invited 

to enjoy delicious treats and lemonade. It was very classy!

We met many like minded women, who are lovers of all things SB (like us).

We chatted and met others who saw her with us in Pasadena too.

It wasn't long before there she was in all her cuteness!

Don't you just love her outfit! 

Linda is just to the left of her left hand in this pic.

She is a true GIRLFRIEND (just like her book) and seemed as excited to

see us as we were to see her. She spoke for a bit then

opened it up for questions from us...FUN!

Here are the three of us in the traditional girlfriend signing pose.

She is so very generous and spends some quality time with each and 

every one of us. Susan is signing a very special Christmas print

of hers that Linda was generous to gift me. I will display it 

every Christmas to remind me of my two dear friends.

She signed our books too in her loving hand.

It was a magical trip from the start to the very end. We antiqued along 

our way home. Ate at many of my favorite restaurants too.

How blessed am I to have these two incredible 

woman that I call FRIEND?

The pictures were taken by me with my iPhone, and the husband's 

of Susan Branch (Joe) & Laura Lindsay.

Wishing you a spring adventure or two!

Melin

xoxo

Farm Chicks here WE come!

I am packed up and ready for another fabulous Farm Chick adventure 2015!

I am heading to Washington state a week early, so I can check out all the vintage goodies 

closer to the coast with my bestie Teri. Then, WE will meet with our other 

grade school  bestie Nancy (she lives in Idaho), and head to Spokane for 

The Farm Chicks Show. Find out all about the show at 

http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/farmchicks/the-farm-chicks-antiquesshow.html. 

WE went in 2013 and had the greatest time. Farm Chicks is the greatest show on earth!

You must read about the founder, Serena Thompson. She is just the sweetest little

 gal and has quite a wonderful story. She is so warm and welcoming 

to all of us, who travel from 

near and far to join her Farm Chicks fun. 

I have packed a carry-on bag inside my big bag, so I can bring home goodies 

on the plane. Wow, is it ever heavy (exactly 50 lbs)!

I reviewed Ki Nassauer's tips on packing up the junk at 

http://kinassauerstyle.com/2014/10/how-to-pack-your-junking-treasures-for.html. 

She has a lot of great ideas and a lot of experience.

Wish me the luck of fabulous finds that WE can share with you.

Melin

The Farm Chicks Adventure Part II

WE were in line at 7:30 am! Look pretty chipper, don't WE?

Just so you know, from left to right, it's Melin, Teri, Nancy & Sue. 

 

Here is our spot in line. It's not too bad.

 

 

If you don't arrive early, you could be at the end of this...or worse!

WE talked to many fun ladies in line with us and tried to make a plan.

But once inside, it's so awesome you forget the plan and just go for it!

 

 

 I bought 3-4 larger items in the first half hour and I am so glad I did.

Watch for a future blog post about hints for The Farm Chicks Show. 

 

 The booths are fun and each one unique. There were some industrial, kitchen (more would

 have been better for me), garden, kids, and general home items. The prices are fair,

not cheap nor super high. I do prefer bargains but fair is good.

 

 

I wish I could share with you what I bought and I will when I retrieve my treasures from

Sue in August. The plane really limits what I could bring home with me.

I think I took these booth pictures on Sunday, when the crowds are just a bit lighter because it was much more crowded than it looks like here. Just want to give you an idea of what it looks like.

The booths are all inside the fairgrounds building. It was very crowded in the booths

and at times almost overwhelming.



WE each did our own thing, so WE could go at our own pace. Our paths did cross many times

with happy grins and hot spot sharing. WE met for lunch and they had a nice selection of food.

 I had a great barbecue sandwich. There were long lines and seats were tough to come by but

WE did manage to seat all together. It felt great to sit and compare notes on what we found. 

 

 There is an assortment of Farm Chicks merchandise near the entrance. WE all bought shirts, which sold out on Saturday. WE wore them on Sunday and were told gals may offer 

us cash for the shirts off our backs but no way were WE selling our keepsakes.

I bought this great mug too!

 

 

 Here WE are posing with the car in the woods theme display in the entrance in our shirts.

Most of us had to make a car run at least once. WE all bought some great treasures  for our

 own homes and I picked up a few cool treats for Wren Elizabeth Gifts ~ Vintage.

Watch for more blog posts about our adventures with The Farm Chicks.

Melin

 

The Farm Chicks Adventure Part I

I have heard about The Farm Chicks Antique Show, in Spokane, WA, for years now and wanted

 to join in the fun. This was my year and I will share a few stories from my adventure here with

you over a few blog entries. The Farm Chicks is a two day event over the first

 weekend in June at the Spokane, WA Fairgrounds.

 

The Farm Chicks Show was started in 2002 by Serena Thompson. Serena is tiny and beautiful, a mother of four, contributing editor of Country Living Magazine, an author of two books and

co-creator of this great event. You can find out more about her and the show on her facebook page

at http://www.facebook.com/thefarmchicks or at http://thefarmchicks.com/antique-show/.  Her love for antiques, re-purposing and cuteness shine through all she does! Here WE are together below.

I was lucky to get to meet her and she signed the latest copy of Country Living Magazine for me.

 

 I flew to Washington State and met three of my grade and high school besties for this grand girlfriend adventure. Sue, Teri and I drove from NW WA along highway 2 to Spokane.

WE stopped in a darling Bavarian town, Leavenworth, for an early lunch and a bit of shopping.

Speaking of shopping...WE shopped ALL 8 days we were together!

WE arrived in Spokane and was greeted by Nancy, who lives near by in ID. Bless her heart,

she already had our wrist band tickets for both days of the event for all of us. WE were so

excited to all be together again! The last time was at my son's wedding 6 years ago.

Dinner was at Clinkerdagger, a beautiful restaurant on the river, at the falls.

 

 

This is our view during dinner!

 WE toasted our adventure with a few fun cocktails and wine.

 

I brought a small gift for each of us. Watch for a future blog called "Farm Chick Craft".

 

 

The dinner was perfect! WE knew WE had to get up early, so WE strolled back to our

hotel enjoying our reunion and precious time with dear long time friends. 

 

Stay tuned for The Farm Chicks Adventure Part II.

Melin