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Sunday, December 26, 2010

2011 Winter Antique Show Schedule


After being off for a month. I feel as though I am suffering from cabin fever. But the start of the winter show season is about to begin. Although we may not be at some of the shows listed they are still wonderful quality shows you should check out. If you know of any shows that aren’t listed and would like them added let me know. I’m looking for more quality shows to post information about.

December 30th - January 2ndJoin us at the Stewart Promotions New Years Show in Louisville, KY. Located at the Kentucky Exposition Center in both the West Wing and Pavilion. If you are in the area stop by and say hello. We will be set up in the Pavilion in space UU 16B-18. Admission to the show is free but there is a parking charge of $6.
http://www.stewartpromotions.com

January 7th - January 9th; February 11th - February 13th ; March 11th - March 13th
Scott’s Antique Market in Atlanta, GA. This show is held at the Atlanta Expo Center. This is a monthly show held the second weekend of every month. The January & February Shows are simply fantastic. Both the North & South buildings will be completely sold out. A shuttle bus is offered for your convince to take you to and from both buildings. This is truly a show that caters to collectors and decorators of all kind. Admission is $5 and good for the weekend. We will at the January Show somewhere in the South Building however the booth space is not known at this time.
http://www.scottantiquemarket.com/cgi-bin/Atlanta.cgi

January 8th - January 9th & March 5th - March 6th DC Big Flea. Over 1100 Booths! Held at the Dulles Exposition & Convention Center in Chantilly, VA. If you print off the website ad you can save $2 off your admission into the show.
http://www.damorepromotions.com/Chantilly/chantilly.htm

January 14th- January 16th & February 18th - February 20th
Renningers Antiques & Collectors Extravaganza at Mt. Dora, Florida! 3-times per year the Renningers Flea Market host an outstanding outdoor Antique Extravaganza. January will be our first Mt. Dora experience! Our spaces will be 2095 & 2096. Stop by and say hello if you get a chance.
"http://www.renningers.com/dora/flaexthome2.html

January 21st - January 23rd ; February 25th - February 27th ; March 25th - March 27th Nashville Flea Market formerly known as the Tennessee State Fair Grounds Flea Market will host its monthly flea market. The show will be held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. For the antiques lover check out Antiques Alley & the Sports Arena.
http://www.nashvilleexpocenter.org/expo/fleamarket/dates.asp

January 23rd - January 24th; February 19th - February 20th ; March 26th - March 27th
Scott’s Antique Market in Columbus, OH. This show is held at the Ohio State Fair Grounds in Columbus. This show is only 5 times a year. It is a great show to shop. Great variety for all! Admission is free but parking is $5 per day.
http://www.scottantiquemarket.com/cgi-bin/Columbus.cgi

February 5th - February 6th Fredericksburg Big Flea Market. Held at the Fredericksburg Expo & Convention Center in Fredericksburg, VA.
http://www.damorepromotions.com/Fred/fred.htm

February 5th - February 6th
Morehead Antique Market located at the Morehead Conference Center in Morehead, KY. $2 Admission. This is a nice small show of aprox 50 quality dealers.

February 12th - February 13th & March 9th - March 10th The Olde Stark Antique Show in Canton, Oh. I have not been able to work this show into my schedule the last few years but it is one of our all time favorites. The facility is nice. Buyers are serious and sellers bring a great variety to full-full their wants. This show is held at the Stark County Fairgrounds and admission is $4 per person.
http://www.visitcantonstark.com/Calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=31539&year=2011&month=2

March 19th - March 20th Scott County Kentucky Antique Show held at Scott County High School in Georgetown, KY. In my opinion it is one of the best quality small shows I do. A wonderful selection of fine early American Furniture, Silver, Jewelry, Glassware, etc. It’s well worth the trip!

Pot of Gold Antique Show in Grayson Kentucky This is the start of it all for me doing antique shows. I make a point to do this show above all others. The show will be in its 14th year this year. Although dates and show information have not been posted yet it should be towards the end of March. Information on this show will be posted as soon as I have it.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

'Twas Our Week Before Christmas!

After a month of taking off to have some much needed rest and relaxation. And spend holiday time with family and friends. We also had to much time on our hands to come up with this little poem. But back to work we go December 26th regardless of the depth of the snow.


'Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the Miller House,
The smallest child was stirring, like a small church mouse
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.


The girl was wild and bouncing on her bed,
While wishes and wants of zhu-zhu’s danced in her head.
And mama wrapping gifts, and daddy loading the trailer cussing mamma’s name.
JB with the 16 year old attitude, and Tanner ready for the bowl games.


When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
It was daddy’s turkey making such a splatter.
Off to the window mama flew like a flash,
And saw her turkey all in ash.

While the turkey lay smoldering in the snow,
It was alright because there was a ham ready to go.
Off to the in-laws with our cakes and desserts,
Eating too much we knew it would hurt.

Christmas Eve we played and we ate,
We put the kids in bed before it got late,
Christmas Day we awoke with cheer,
To find a pumpkin had appeared!


With all of these problems it didn‘t matter to us,
Because we knew it was really all about Jesus.


Merry Christmas & Happy New Years!
From all of us to all of you!
Thank you for a wonderful 2010!


*As we prepare for our winter shows watch for the schedule to post at the first of next week*

Friday, December 17, 2010

Sixteen Year of Memories…



Today, December 17th, my oldest son turned 16. Man he grew up fast. It seems like that in the last year or so he has become very attached to his childhood and is constantly reliving it. In his young life he has buried an aunt, one great grandmother, and two grandmothers all of which he was very close to.


When planning to celebrate his birthday I asked him what I could do for a special dinner. His reply was simply, “I want it exactly the way my grandmother would have done it.” My heart sank but I knew my mother was smiling down from above knowing she had really made an impact.

My mother was the queen of the formal dinner. At least once a month she had a formal sit down dinner in her dining room. She changed her china, crystal, and linens around like most people change their underwear. We always dressed up for that one dinner, but it was a wonderful meal. Her philosophy “If I’m going to cook all day on a fine meal the least you could do is dress to suit me.”



My mother collected lots of different china patterns. She had 32 sets to be exact. I used one of these sets “Old Country Roses” by Royal Albert, for his dinner. I also used my grandmother’s crystal, “Rosepoint” by Cambridge, and my godmother’s flatware “Francis I” by Reed & Barton.



The meal was planned based on one of JB's favorites that my mother use to prepare for him. The dessert was a cookie his paternal grandmother always made, an almond spritz cookie as a green Christmas Tree.

His presents were my biggest challenge to wrap. He wanted simple presents; $100 in $2-bills, a roll of fifty cent pieces, and a roll of gold dollars. So to make it interesting I have a turn of the 19th Century Seed Cabinet with 103 drawers. I placed his presents inside different drawers and he had to open everyone to find all of the gifts. He seemed to have fun with it.



Our guest list was also simple, Donnie, Tanner, Courtney, JB’s girlfriend, our good friend Nancy, and myself. JB provided vintage Christmas music played on his record player. The Christmas tree made the perfect back drop.



The dinner was a success and he was happy. He reminisced of times gone by. Its great knowing the memories of his long gone family live on through him in everything he does. As he grows I see it more and more everyday.

Happy Birthday JB! I love you!

Finally, I would like to take a moment to thank the Guide to Art School for listing us on their top 50 Antique Blogs. I also want to thank all you, my readers, for taking the time to help make this blog such a success. Thank you all so much!!!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Tradition of our Village...


In 1978 while shopping for Christmas decorations at Hills Department Store in our home town, my mother purchased 5 Christmas village pieces. A green church, a pink victorian house, a general store, a chapel, and a ginger bread house. She brought the pieces home and set them up on her grandmothers buffet and placed cotton all around them for a snowy effect.



That began my fascination with the little houses wondering what it was like to live in that pink house, shop at the general store, and go to church in that steepled church. As I grew older my mother noticed my great love for the village and decided to add to it. We discovered that the Department 56 Original Snow Village was a perfect size to mix with the five houses we already had. So we added 1 to 2 pieces a year. Usually it was one house and one accessory each year. The village quickly grew to cover an antique game table. But my mother always made sure I had plenty of room for displaying it. Each year we tried very hard to set up the little town differently.



When I moved into my first house my mother decided it was time for me to take the tradition of my village with me and share my love for it with my own children.

After my husband and I married, the village grew rapidly. This year we have over 300houses and accessories. My dad still buys me one house every Christmas. Throughout the year, Donnie and I manage to buy various pieces we find during our travels at shows, yard sales and consignment shops.

Last year my mother-in-law told us of a Department 56 dealer who was going out of business. As a result we were able to add 20 to 30 pieces.



Finally, a few years ago I bought a book on the Department 56 Villages and to my surprise I discovered those five houses that started this mad tradition were from the first line produced for the Original Snow Village. It only made my village that much sweeter.

My husband and I usually set the village up over a 4 day span. He unboxes, I set it up and light it. When my daughter was born I stopped using the artifical snow so she wouldn't eat it. My children absolutely light up and sparkle like I did at age. Courtney turns it on each evening, always pointing and asking questions. JB makes sure it is setup politically correct as it can be, and Tanner just stands in awe.

I can tell you the story behind most every piece. Its amazing how a tradition can come from a collection, and the memories that a collection makes. In this house all will tell you that the "Village" is the most important part of "Our Christmas Tradition". What is are your family's traditions?