Sandwich Antique Market

We went to the Sandwich Antiques Market last Sunday(April 25th).  It is still early in the season and the weather wasn't great, so there weren't many vendors.  We kind of expected that.  None the less, it was good to get out and kick off the "flea"ing season!  I'm sure next month's antique market will be much bigger since the weather will be better.

How cute are these mushroom stools!

   

This lady had great displays.  Her shop "Willows" is in Dubuque, Iowa.

 
  

 

Love this faux bois birdbath!

This is what we ended up with. Anne got an old galvanized tub for her ducks to swim in, and Julie got a fabulous little tray to pull kabobs off the grill, and an adorable old chicken feeder that she is going to use at her next sale to hold "littles."

    

Local Chicagoland Fleamarkets

It's fleaing season!  Below is a list of Chicagoland area flea markets starting in May.  We've been to all of them and each of them is great in its own way.  Let us know if you have any questions about any of them!

Kane County: May 1st and 2nd

Lake County: May 8th and 9th, June 12 & 13th, July 10th & 11th, $6 p/p, parking is free,Sat 10am-4pm, Sun, 8am-3pm, Grayslake, IL

Elkhorn: May 16th, June 27th, Aug 8, Sept. 26, opens 7am, $5 p/p, parking is free, Elkhorn Wisconsin

Pec Thing: May 15th and 16th, 8am - 5pm, $3 p/p, Parking is free, Pectonica, IL, Winnebago County Fairgounds

Sandwich: May 16, June 20, July 25, Aug 22, opens 8am-4pm, Sunday only, $5 p/p, parking is free

Chicago Antique Market: May 2nd, Seasonal opener is May 29 & 30th, June 19th & 20th, July 24th & 25th, Aug 28th & 29th, Sept 25th & 26th, $10 p/p, sat 10am -5pm, Sun 10am - 4pm

Dupage Co. Fairgrounds & Wheaton Antique: May 15th, June 19th, July 17, Aug 21st, $5 p/p, 3rd Saturday of every month

Belvidere Antique Market: Sun, May 30th 8-3, Boone Co Fairgounds

Kane Co: May 1st & 2nd, June 5th & 6th, July 31st & Aug 1st, Sept 4 & 5, Oct, 23rd

Wilton cake decorating class

My mom and sister and I recently signed up for the Wilton Cake Decorating class at Hobby Lobby.  We had our first meeting last night.  The instructor, Adalina, is very nice and quite funny.  I admit I was a little surprised to find out we were going to have a homework assignment. Since my current nightmares still consist of not getting homework in on time, or flunking tests, I thought I should practice. Next week we are all supposed to bring in an iced cake.  This is so we can practice making the icing in different consistances.  Let's just say, I would of flunked the first test!  The first attempt at "stiff" icing, was more like a medium consistancy.  The second batch was even worse, it was like a thin consistancy, you would use to ice the outside of a cake.  So that's what I did. 

As you can see, I hate running out of vanilla and meringue powder. 

This was the finished product.  I used the first cake to practice using different tips, and of course I had to use my new tools. 

Not bad for a first try.  My kids were very impressed. 

Chicago Botanic Garden Early Spring

The kids had a half day today, so we headed to the Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glenco, IL.  www.chicagobotanic.org. It was beautiful, but very cold!  I wanted to see the spring bulbs in bloom to get some ideas of what to plant in the fall.  I don't have as many bulbs this year in my yard, I think they are getting eaten by the animals! 

 

This is the first big garden you see when you walk in the Gardens. Beautiful!  Notice all the daffodils planted on the hill across the lake.

This is a close up.  I love this color combination.

These purple pansie's had a frilly edge to them.  The looked adorable in mass under a tree.

 

 

 

Pink anemone.  They sell these in the garden centers each year, and I never buy them.  I may need to rethink that.  They are so colorful.

Cushion Spurge.  I have some of this planted in my yard.  It looks so great in the spring with white tulips.  Mine, however is nowhere near this big yet!

These tulips speak for themselves. This is another great color combination!

My kids thought this would make a good survival shelter.  I have to agree. I'm not sure I would want to "survive" under it, but it would help if it were raining or snowing!

Persian Buttercup, or Ranunculus. The orange are called 'Bloomingdale Tangerine'.  Very similar colors to the tulips above, but with more orange in them.  These were so vibrant!

This is at the entrance to the "walled" garden, my favorite part of the Chicago Botanic Gardens.

 

Lily family, Aurora Crown Imperial.




















Tower of Jewels, Borage Family, from the Canary Islands.  This looks so prehistoric to me, very cool!

 

 

I love cement features in a garden. They really personalize the garden.

I love all the aspects of this part of the garden.  Especially the boxwood hedges and of course the wall and arbors.

We can't leave out Daffodils.  These are so buttery, yellow. 

Double Narcissus 'Manly'

I look forward to going back later this spring or early summer to see the roses and perennials in bloom!.  Anne's boys are already asking about the train garden.  Can't wait to take them!

Macy's Flower Show

 

On Saturday April 10th, we went to the Macy's Flower Show downtown Chicago on State Street.  We weren't sure what to expect, but wow were we suprised.  The flowers were amazing and covered every part of the store.  The event is held annually and always occurs around Easter.  It is a MUST see.

 

This was the scene in the famous Macy windows on State Street.  They were so striking and whimsical!

 This painting, is the picture they used on all of their ads to promote the flower show. It is an ABSOLUTELY adorable design.  The large Macy's shopping bags all had this picture on them too. 

  This giant balloon was in one of the large atriums. It was such a fun sight!  Notice the carpet they had running throughout the store.  It is designed after the picture they used for the promo.  Obviously, no expense was spared!

  
 

These were the flowers below the balloon.  The picture on the right is the basket of the balloon.

 

    

 

 

Some pictures of various displays on the first floor.

Every inch was decorated...this was on top of the Clinique counter.

  This display was behind the Links of London jewelry counter.

 

There were plenty of floral tablescapes to see.  Most of them designed by Lenox or Martha Stewart.
 

 

 
 

They had many seminars and speakers throughout the week. This picture was taken at the "Bedding in Bloom Brunch".  A style expert showed how to create the ultimate sleep oasis and shared some "breakfast in bed" recipes.

 
This was the scene at the famous Walnut room on the seventh floor of Macy's.  This display was absolutely breathtaking in person.

 The beautiful Burnham Fountain in Macy's.

                                          A view of the fountain from above.

 

One of the best parts about visiting Macy's on State is being able to visit the beautiful Millennium Park just a couple blocks away.   Here is a pic of Mac and Soran(Anne's boys) trying to be as tall as the big city buildings!