FArM CHicKs sHoW

So much to post about the show (there are plenty of other blogs talking about it too).  

The bottom line...

1.  good junk

2.  reasonable prices

3.  totally inspiring

would I spend the money to go back? you bet!

The smartest thing we did was get in on the $20 early entry tickets.  There were a limited amount sold (maybe 300) and that got us a great parking space (to dump our treasures throughout the day) and 1 hour in the show with a very limited amount of people.  We arrived at the show at 7:45am for a 9:00 entry.  The photo below shows how close we were to the front of the line, maybe 30 people?

Standing in line was actually fun because we talked to everyone around us including these super nice ladies from Southern Ca.  We met them the day before when we were out shopping (we just kept running into them at the same stores) then ended up standing in line by them.  Eloise (on the right) was so nice to give us tips on some good booths to start with. Thanks Eloise!

We saw LOTS of cowboy boots with skirts and dresses, fun aprons and fabulous jewelry.  We also saw all the Farm Chick celebrities that were in the house to sign books/magazines during the event.  Jenny Doh with her new book, Signature Styles.  The fabulous Heather Bullard and Ki Nassauer with their magazine Flea Market Style.

Once inside the building we were free to roam the 4 halls.  This picture is of the main entrance hall.

 

My purchase at the Silver Suitcase (as if I hadn't bought enough from them the day before!)

yes, that's my thumb in the picture...did they move the camera on the new iPhone 4?  I never had this giant thumb with my iPhone 3.

Piles and piles of vintage table cloths

Cowboy boots anyone?

Love this signage...Ormolulu

Seabold Vintage Market was the most darling booth.  The red cross theme carried throughout. 

oh, my gosh, there's my thumb again!

And just across the way were these lovely old dressers.  This one was sold.

Loved this idea of the faux wedding cake.  

Wouldn't this make a great center piece for a bridal shower?

Look what they did with this old car...

Here is the fabulous Sande Krieger in the back of the car! 

I bought one of these...a big letter C.

This was quite a haul!

We saw our friends Lisa and Michelle from Scrappin Girlfriends in Twin Falls, Idaho

as well as our crazy but super fun friend, Lori Wilson-Bunda from The Scrap Yard in Calgary

Farm Chicks even had a Man-Cave with 3 big screen TVs and comfortable seating for about 20 or so people.  It was great if you needed a break or just to meet up with someone.  I personally watched a little Forrest Gump while I was waiting in there.

Thought I would leave you with this great old car that was parked next to us in the parking lot.  We all wanted out picture taken in it!

This blog also has some great Farm Chicks pictures (probably NOT taken with their iPhone because there is no thumb in any of the pictures).
cheers,
paula

A day in Spokane

What a weekend!  The Farms Chicks show was terrific and Spokane was beautiful, so glad I went. 
My friend Nancy and I arrived two days before Farm Chicks so we could get in a little shopping on Friday before the main event.  We had scoped out a few places to visit before hand and found almost all worth the drive.  Here are a few that stood out:

Roost

7 W. Main St

Loved this little cabinet. 

and right across the street was 

Revival Lighting

14 W. Main

Seemed like every imaginable vintage lighting fixture was represented here.

This one was a favorite...reminded me of a vintage carousel.

Then we were off to Lolo a darling boutique.

Lolo

319 W. Second St

The Vintage Rabbit

2317 N. Monroe

This was the best vintage store we visited due to this booth, Silver Suitcase. Great stuff, awesome prices.

We even ran into these girls...or should I say "hens".  Carrie, Kathy and Susi are the proprietors of the "Three Speckled Hens" show in Paso Robles that is about an hour north of my house in Calif. 
NOTE: Next show Oct 1st and 2nd.

 Tossed and Found

2607 N. Monroe 

Last but not least, this fun place, Tossed and Found.  Super good junk, good prices, and really nice people. 

I wish I could have fit these red stadium seats in my suitcase!

Fabulous vintage sign

Well that's my little tour of antique shops around Spokane. 
Stay tuned for Farm Chicks Pictures!
cheers, paula

We Live On The Sun

It's going to get over 100 degrees in Arizona this week.  I guess we can't complain, we have been lucky the last few weeks and have enjoyed temperatures in the 80's and 90's.  When Paula comes to visit this time of year some common phrases are: "you guys live on the sun" and "how do people do it"!  While Paula is here we also need to be conscious of keeping the girl hydrated as she has a tendency to get cankles (when the calf merges with a swollen ankle). We keep a bottle of cold water or a Sonic route 44 diet coke in her hand at all times. 
In celebration of 100 degrees, I thought you might enjoy one of our favorite sweet treats that helps make our hot days of summer bearable.  We love making homemade ice cream in the summer time....and well, truth be told, we really make it year round, but this is the time it is enjoyed the most.  My husband is the master at making ice cream.  He makes a divine vanilla with strawberry, banana and almonds and the kids love any kind of chocolate candy bar broken up in either chocolate or vanilla, but I think our favorite is - 

Chocolate Mint Grasshopper  

 Chocolate Mint Grasshopper Ice Cream

(For 6 quart ice cream maker)

6 eggs

1 can evaporated milk

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 1/2 cups sugar

2/3 cup cocoa (he actually uses slightly less)

1 quart half and half

1 T vanilla

whole milk

grasshopper mint chocolate cookies 

Before mixing:

Chill ice cream maker canister.  

Freeze the package of cookies.  After frozen, put cookies in a ziplock bag and crush leaving some larger pieces.  

Mixing ice cream:

Beat eggs well.  In a separate bowl combine cocoa and sugar, then beat into egg mixture.   Add remaining ingredients except whole milk and cookies.  Pour mixture into chilled ice cream maker canister.  Add whole milk to just below fill line (because we are going to add the cookies later).  Freeze following manufacture instructions for your ice cream maker.  When ice cream is thick and almost done, add crushed cookies, pushing the cookies deep into the canister for a good mixture.  Continue freezing ice cream until firm.  

I have to tell you though, after years and years of making ice cream in an inexpensive ice cream freezer that you get at Walmart or Target.....It's this little guy that makes a huge difference.  It freezes the ice cream faster and harder.  It is a bit of an investment, but it's all about having the right tools isn't it?!

Speaking of Paula coming to town, she will be here next week.  

We are teaching classes in Glendale, AZ on June 11th at....

See you there!!