Just arrived today (10/13) and I don't know about you but this could stay out all year long at my house! A fresh batch of all kinds of ruffled scarves have just arrived in velvet, velvet & taffeta and a soft bubble knit ruffle with fringe. I couldn't decide so I just had to have one in each color for my fall wardrobe! Makes a wonderful gift too...see them all here. Set of six nesting metal book boxes (LOVE these!!) Baroque pearl necklace, yum!
Some more photos from this year's fair. Friend (and fellow finder of fabulous things) Lisa Marton shares the tent space with me and these are her photos. She's urban farmhouse's resident pottery and glassware expert. You can always find fantastic pieces in her space at the shop. Just check out some of her amazing finds below! Stay tuned...going to post pictures tomorrow of the shop including Lisa Marton's new old finds.
My husband shared this with me today, how many of us can relate? Thought I would share it with you all. And we're going to personally dedicate this post to Cooper Boone...if you follow him on Facebook then you'll know he recently posted he was looking for GOOD ideas on managing stress. I'm taking notes on this one...hope to put a few of the tips into practice...and there MUST be a reason why my husband sent it to me...hmm....something about that 'organization' part maybe?
((((After you read this be sure to check out Cooper's pages and Facebook page, in addition to being a super talented artist seems as though he's somewhat of damn good cook! AND he has cooking videos on his website to teach you his recipes!!))))
Do you constantly say that you have too much to do and too little time? If you have one… is your to-do list a mile long? This seems to be a common sentiment in today’s world. Everyone has too much on their list and too many obligations to keep up with. Have you stopped to consider why your load is so big? How did you end up under so many obligations in the first place? What is all of this weight holding you back?
Too Much on Your Truck?
A better question may be… where did all this weight come from?
If you are truly overloaded, how did you get there? Over time you have taken on more than you can handle. It did not happen instantly or overnight. Often, this is self-inflicted time management. You have been practicing habits and behaviors that have lead to this situation. You have been creating your own stress and life friction. How can we limit this load that prevents us from being productive and enjoying our day?
6 Ways to Protect from Overload
There are many habits that can lead to task overload. Here are six behaviors to help avoid personal overload:
1. Be Organized Enough to Know Your Load – This is an important first step. Do you even know how much you are carrying? When people say, “I have too much to do,” I immediately ask to see their todo list and project board. Ironically, many of them do not have a single organized view of what they need to do. Multiple lists and scattered papers present a jumbled perspective. If you don’t know how much is on your plate, how can you hope to efficiently get it done? 2. Just Say No – Are you unable to tell others no? Do you constantly accept tasks and obligations from others? This can be a leading source of the extra weight that holds you back. ”Can you do this for me?” ”Can you help me with that?” Sometimes, the right answer is “No.” 3. Finish to Done - Another reason your load may be too big is that you do not ever fully complete things. Starting tasks is easy, but finishing them is hard. You start many tasks, but do not see them to completion. A few items completed is always more effective than many things begun. 4. Don’t Do Everything Yourself – Busy people are often guilty of trying to do everything themselves. They don’t delegate, either because they are too busy to do so, or they believe that someone else could not do it as well as they can. Delegation, where appropriate, is a key skill to productivity. Ensure you are not keeping tasks that would be better served by someone else. 5. Set Clear Expectations – Clear expectations are essential to efficient workflow. ”Who is going to do that?” ”When is it going to get done?” Have you ever found yourself working on something, only to find out that someone else was also doing it? No one was clear about whose todo list it was on. 6. Defend Your Time – Do you defend your time? If not, people will steal it. Why is it acceptable to let people take our time? We wouldn’t let them steal our money, yet time seems to be free game. You need to be ruthless in protecting your most valuable resource: your time. Ensure that you have first priority on your time and do not let others unnecessarily waste it. (A good method for this is to “Block Your Time.“)
A Lighter Load…
It is difficult to perform at your best when you are under too much weight from your tasks and obligations. Keeping yourself from getting in an overloaded status is important. Be aware of what you are carrying. Make choices on what you take on. And take charge of your time and tasks.
That pack on your back might just feel a little lighter.
They're on their way folks!! Should be here by Wednesday...stop in the store soon for the best choice of colors! These sold out at my tent at the Country Living fair in 4.5 hours...they are just THAT beautiful.
Hey everyone!! Hope you all are doing well and enjoying the beginnings of our autumn season. We have just returned from the 5th Annual Country Living magazine fair. WOW...what a weekend!! It's one big Country Living party!! What would the fair be without a little drama? I'm sure you all remember 2008 and that little breeze named Hurricane Ike that blew through on Sunday. These photos are NOT from that year...this is how the fair started out THIS year. One of Ike's cousins visited us on Wednesday. With tornado sirens blaring we (my parents, me, friend Kimberly, fellow dealer and collector friends Lisa and Scott and their young daughter, who were set up with me) tried to keep our tents from flying into the next county. It quickly became too dangerous to hang on to metal poles with a "kite" attached. I mean let's face it...all that great stuff we hunt down and treasure is really just stuff, and it's replaceable stuff. Everyone on the fairgrounds was soon running for cover and the sanctuary of the church basement is where we found ourselves. When the storm blew over this is what we found, three hours of tent set up down the drain. But you know us country gals don't let much stop us from what we want to do! We draped everything with tarps and went home determined to start all over on Thursday. We crammed 2 days of set up into one and were almost ready Friday when the early bird fair goers poured in at 8:30 in the morning. In the chaos of it all we had some minor crises arise; at separate times our register ran out of pennies and ones, the rain on Wednesday damaged our paper rolls for the register but we didn't know until we needed it. Thankfully my dear friend Kathi Bejma of KD Vintage helped me out. Most of Friday and Saturday the line to pay was very long. While that's wonderful to see as a business owner I can't help but feel anxious when people have to wait that long. Everyone was absolutely wonderful and patient and I thank all of you! I'm thinking next year there will have to be 2 check out areas. My friend Sherry made these gorgeous bouquets!! Sweet annie, golden rod, wheat stems, sunflowers, hydrangeas...simply a perfect autumn gathering. These gorgeous pumpkins definitely stole the show. I started out with 57 of them and by 1pm Friday they were gone! More are on the way and should be in the shop next week. Aren't they beautiful? Sue Whitney, founder of JUNKMARKET Style stopped by several times. First was to shop for her demonstration 'Setting a Harvest Table' sponsored by Gorilla Glue. Half of what she had packed to be sent to the fair ended up getting shipped to Florida. So she was shopping for items. She snatched up industrial baskets, brown transferware plates, old keys and locks and more. I so wanted to head over to watch her in action but we were just way too busy (a good problem). She came back to show me the cutest napkin rings she made with burlap and the keys she bought from us. Hope to see some pictures on the internet soon! Now the bad news...these are the only pictures I took. ARGH!! Had my 35mm with me the whole time but it was just too busy and the storm Wednesday put us way behind schedule. So can you help a girl out? Send me your pics from the fair. Would love to do a post with a collection of fair goers pictures.
Discount advance ticket deadline extended to 9/21!!! Don't miss out on the savings or a chance to be an early bird. Admission: One day $15/$12 in advance Weekend Pass $20/$15 in advance. A Weekend pass in advance is a great deal! Same price as a one day at the door. Early Bird $35 advance only. Early birds can enter at 8:30 a.m. on Friday and/or Saturday. Discount advance tickets & Early Bird tickets are available online & by phone until 9/21 and in person at The Ohio Historical Center Museum Shop until 9/23 at 5 p.m. Tickets are always available fair days at the box office. Regular parking fees apply. ($5 daily)
An early Christmas gift from our Danish friends at Jeanne d' Arc Living magazine!! They have decided to reprint their wonderful Christmas decorating book 'Jul' in English AND in magazine format which brings down the price considerably! The issue will be nothing but content from cover to cover...that's NO ADS! Order one for yourself and maybe one for someone on your Christmas list. ORDER HERE
Message to the Sailors and Marines of the Department of the Navy from the Honorable Hansford T. Johnson Acting Secretary of the Navy In Remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001
Throughout our history, certain images become engrained in our minds – the flag raising at Iwo Jima; the day President Kennedy was killed; Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon; President Reagan telling the Soviets to "tear down this wall."
For all of us, the events of September 11th, 2001 will forever live in our memories.
We shall never forget the images of planes flying into the World Trade Center or the smoke rising from the Pentagon. We shall never forget the courage and compassion of men and women racing into burning buildings to save the innocent or those heroes who died in a Pennsylvania field.
The days following the attack brought even more memories.
We shall never forget the image of a boy leaving flowers outside of the American embassy in Moscow. We shall never forget the candlelight vigils held in India and Bangladesh.
Thousands of Germans marched at Brandenburg Gate. One hundred thousand Canadians gathered in Ottawa. Jordanian women gathered to pray – all sharing in our sorrow.
There is no doubt that the horrific acts of a few were surpassed by the heroic acts of many. All Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and Coastguardsmen continue to perform daily acts of heroism in response to the attacks. But the legacy of that September day lies in the worldwide embrace of freedom that followed.
Today, millions of people from nations around the world stand united behind one ideal – that the destructive agendas of radicals shall never eclipse the light of liberty.
Though enemies of freedom hide throughout the world, every day we and our allies remove more of them from the innocent populations they infest.
We stand on the front lines of our defense, but we do not stand alone. Forces from Britain, Poland and many other nations stand beside us. And the American public stands behind us.
Individual roles continue to change to meet the challenges of the Global War on Terrorism. But together our purpose remains the same – to champion the cause of freedom.
Our Commander-in-Chief leads set our course when he said, "We will not waiver. We will not tire. We will not falter. We will not fail."
We must never forget legacy of that September day – a world drawn together in the common cause of freedom and our renewed devotion to it.
God Bless each of you and your families for your service, your sacrifice and your commitment to freedom.
May God Continue to Bless the United States of America.
With these cooler temperatures here in Ohio we're all starting to think about fall and Halloween and fluffing our nests with some beautiful, seasonal finds. With that in mind I have started putting out some of our Halloween and autumnal goods. Oh if my house was large enough this baby would already be there, either in my kitchen or in my living room. Fragrant, spa quality candles in mouth blown glass. Some gorgeous washed zinc finished wall sconces that are ready to either be plugged in or hard wired, Just a few left! Very popular in the store. I just had to bring one of these lamps home for our living room. It reminds me of old pieces of cast iron fencing. Aww, sweet little Baby Jane is a little cranky! I think she needs a nap! Perfect illumination for your Halloween party, these black wax skulls are a fun addition to spooky decor. Toss in a handful of mercury glass votive glasses for a little bling. Some items transition easily from one setting to another. Like these faux concrete roses, perfect in a garden setting and equally as perfect in a Halloween vignette. A recent find, stackable, vintage pharmaceutical boxes. A variety of newsprint signs for that aged & vintaged feel. The best owl...ever. Two dark gray concrete pumpkins. Copper glittered web bundles complete with spiders. Leave as they are, tied with raffia or separate them in tuck them into dark, little corners. I always have a number of frames on hand. Draped with black chenille webs they take on that long, spooky hallway of ghostly photos look. A child like mirror reflects the 7 foot industrial table/cart. Black wire baskets
(sing to the tune from the Brady Bunch) Here's a story, of a lovely lady, who was living with end tables she only "tolerated". Searching for the perfect pair that eluded her, She thought they never would be found.
Til the one day that the lady read this blogpost And she knew it was much more than a hunch That she might just find what she desired And so she left a comment for the writer of that post
A fresh batch of all kinds of ruffled scarves have just arrived in velvet, velvet & taffeta and a soft bubble knit ruffle with fringe. I couldn't decide so I just had to have one in each color for my fall wardrobe! Makes a wonderful gift too...see them all here.
One of Ike's cousins visited us on Wednesday. With tornado sirens blaring we (my parents, me, friend Kimberly, fellow dealer and collector friends Lisa and Scott and their young daughter, who were set up with me) tried to keep our tents from flying into the next county. It quickly became too dangerous to hang on to metal poles with a "kite" attached. I mean let's face it...all that great stuff we hunt down and treasure is really just stuff, and it's replaceable stuff. Everyone on the fairgrounds was soon running for cover and the sanctuary of the church basement is where we found ourselves. When the storm blew over this is what we found, three hours of tent set up down the drain.
But you know us country gals don't let much stop us from what we want to do! We draped everything with tarps and went home determined to start all over on Thursday. We crammed 2 days of set up into one and were almost ready Friday when the early bird fair goers poured in at 8:30 in the morning.
In the chaos of it all we had some minor crises arise; at separate times our register ran out of pennies and ones, the rain on Wednesday damaged our paper rolls for the register but we didn't know until we needed it. Thankfully my dear friend Kathi Bejma of KD Vintage helped me out.
Most of Friday and Saturday the line to pay was very long. While that's wonderful to see as a business owner I can't help but feel anxious when people have to wait that long. Everyone was absolutely wonderful and patient and I thank all of you! I'm thinking next year there will have to be 2 check out areas.
My friend Sherry made these gorgeous bouquets!! Sweet annie, golden rod, wheat stems, sunflowers, hydrangeas...simply a perfect autumn gathering.
These gorgeous pumpkins definitely stole the show. I started out with 57 of them and by 1pm Friday they were gone! More are on the way and should be in the shop next week.
Aren't they beautiful?
Sue Whitney, founder of JUNKMARKET Style stopped by several times. First was to shop for her demonstration 'Setting a Harvest Table' sponsored by Gorilla Glue. Half of what she had packed to be sent to the fair ended up getting shipped to Florida. So she was shopping for items. She snatched up industrial baskets, brown transferware plates, old keys and locks and more. I so wanted to head over to watch her in action but we were just way too busy (a good problem). She came back to show me the cutest napkin rings she made with burlap and the keys she bought from us. Hope to see some pictures on the internet soon!
Now the bad news...these are the only pictures I took. ARGH!! Had my 35mm with me the whole time but it was just too busy and the storm Wednesday put us way behind schedule. So can you help a girl out? Send me your pics from the fair. Would love to do a post with a collection of fair goers pictures.
Oh if my house was large enough this baby would already be there, either in my kitchen or in my living room.
Fragrant, spa quality candles in mouth blown glass.
Some gorgeous washed zinc finished wall sconces that are ready to either be plugged in or hard wired,
Just a few left! Very popular in the store.
I just had to bring one of these lamps home for our living room. It reminds me of old pieces of cast iron fencing.
Aww, sweet little Baby Jane is a little cranky! I think she needs a nap!
Perfect illumination for your Halloween party, these black wax skulls are a fun addition to spooky decor. Toss in a handful of mercury glass votive glasses for a little bling.
Some items transition easily from one setting to another. Like these faux concrete roses, perfect in a garden setting and equally as perfect in a Halloween vignette. 
A recent find, stackable, vintage pharmaceutical boxes.
A variety of newsprint signs for that aged & vintaged feel.
The best owl...ever. Two dark gray concrete pumpkins.
Copper glittered web bundles complete with spiders. Leave as they are, tied with raffia or separate them in tuck them into dark, little corners.
I always have a number of frames on hand. Draped with black chenille webs they take on that long, spooky hallway of ghostly photos look.
A child like mirror reflects the 7 foot industrial table/cart.
Black wire baskets
