In the Good Ole Summertime

Summertime evokes thoughts of lazy sun-filtered days, sitting on the front porch swing watching the grass grow and waiting for the fireflies to come out at dusk.  Well......................, not THIS summer!   With high humidity, rainy days interspersed with heat and mosquitoes sitting on the front porch must be well prepared for with "Off" mosquito repellant, Citronella candles and a taller than usual glass of iced tea.  Between neighbors passing by to drop off some of the latest harvest of tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers and zucchini, the Ole Barn doors have been mostly shuttered waiting for a mild temp dryer day. So the little Vanity Table waits yet another coat of stain.  

Just Hanging Around

Three different types of wood

 

Cornered
 

Winter Whoa's

Maybe it's wishful thinking, perhaps cabin fever..., but the notion of having the kerosene heater's fire blazing , warming the barn to a comfortable temp and all the equipment humming along with the smell of fresh cut wood and shavings dusting the floor - a midsummer's night dream. FOR CERTAIN!

And so fellow Antiquarians, as you are well aware, we have (again) a c-c-coold winter.  We were preemptive this year with our paints and stains - so as to avoid last year's malady - we now have our surplus stored inside the house - which of course presents a completely different esthetic issue in our Office - but what's a few paint cans perched precariously under the antique roll top.

We did enjoy a frigid Valentines visit to our favorite antique district and while roaming about the shops found a weathered little dressing table - as soon as spring arrives, this piece will be transformed into a delightful find.

Here's a preview of what's to come............................,

Spring Break

Winter Woes..., with Spring Hopes..., that is what we've been experiencing since we are now able to get into the Barn and move about. This winter did us NO favors. From Atlas to Maximus onto Titan and Zenia, the storms got the upper hand wreaking havoc on much of our paint, stain, and primer inventory.  So sad, as many of these lovely colored hues were full cans.  And even though they were stored in a thermal lined case, the constant sub-zero weather proved too much.   AND SO..., we're taking a break for awhile - at least through spring and summer while we can reassess what may need repaired or replaced, and to let everything thaw in the warm sunshine - at least we HOPE we get some of THAT real soon.


gloppy mess of paint

curdled looking stain

 

Check back this fall to see where we are with everything. In the mean time, we'll still be stopping by our favorite Auctions - wouldn't miss them or YOU our restoring friends - we've made such great acquaintances there.  And STILL - stop by, the coffee's probably on and there's usually some sweet treat in the cupboard - even while we rest up a bit - we're always up for a good chat about antiques, the weather and local happenings..

Seeing Shadows

Rime Ice and Hoar Frost
 

 

Here's a photo of the window screen on the "sunny-side" of the Barn.

...., and so fellow antiquers weathering the winter Polar Vortex that has descended on our Barn, we watch the snow flakes fall, and the Rime Ice form on the windows. After the key re-freezes in the lock after finally getting the door open - you KNOW it's cold outside.  Doesn't look like ANY work will be getting done until Spring thaws.

So put on the tea kettle, steep a cup of your favorite blend and grab a good book - it's going to be at least six more weeks - or so sayeth Phil. 

All's Old is New Again

Greetings fellow antiquarians and I welcome the deltiologist in this new year as well as the ephemorite - are you scratching your head yet?   Well, those of you who collect "postcards"  and a hodge-podge of discarded items of days gone by know to whom I speak - and the really inspirational thing is that we all met over a box of what some would call "junk".  I however prefer the term " slightly used and eclectic".  

Actually if the truth be-known, a local Estate Sale harbored several storied rooms of an old cir. 1830 Greek Revival home where the sale was held just prior to Christmas (really kind of sad).  In a room just off of the Conservatory, there were tables laid from one end to the other with boxes of odds-n-ends. Of course you would be bidding on the entire box, even if it were only one or two items you might be interested in. Alas, myself, and two other interested parties hovered over the same box; returning to it time and again, trying not to draw an inordinate amount of attention to any of our interest in it. 

When finally after having passed by one another several times the deltiologist had the fortitude to speak up - saying " I am only interested in the postcards from this box, so if any of you might delight in a friendly cooperative and mutual bid, we all may come out the better for it".  The two ephemerites chimed in with " well, we really had our eye on the antique drawer pulls, and maybe the quill pen-set".   I listened, knowing that none of these items mentioned were of interest to me, and considered that I had never endeavored with such a business proposition, figured I had little to loose.  My response to the three of them was " I favored the tea cozies and the strainers so it looks like none of us are interested in the same things".

 

And there in lay the making of new associates and the sharing of unique ideas that each had for their spied items.  I was able to share my blog and the Florida table (May 2013 - Not Your Average End Table) repurposed last year using antique postcards and how the drawer pulls could adorn several items we'd previously completed. Lively conversation ensued with exchanges of business cards and invites to come visit our shops.

It was a truly unique and charming way to make bidding different - and I didn't feel quite so sad to remove the belongings of the former deceased residents personal possessions - I felt like they got three good homes.

 Happy New Year to you all - and may 2014 bring more great antique finds and new associates to you all.