heaven on earth

After 9 months of anticipation, Marta and I finally got to enjoy our girl's weekend!

We left last Thursday for three days of absolute fun.

We started our trip with a stop in Woodbury, MN at the outlet mall.... and ended up spending a whole bunch of time at DSW (aka shoe heaven).  I made it out of the door with a new pair of tennis shoes for a measly $35 dollars.... Marta and I both nearly purchased a pair of boots.  THEY.WERE.AWESOME.  We both decided, however to wait and save our money for the Junk Bonanza.

We splurged for dinner and dined at Osaka, a fabulous Japanese steak and sushi restaurant.  The chicken teriyaki melted in my mouth.  The other reason I am smiling so big in the picture below is because we didn't have any children to tell to be quiet, or to get up off of the floor, or to say 'this is yuuuuuucky'.  

     

That night we drove to Shakopee and spent the evening prepping for 

*cue sound of angels* 

THE JUNK BONANZA.

It was held at Canterbury Park, just down the road from where we stayed.  We had decided to get up and be there early to ensure we'd get in promptly.  We arrived at 8:06 (the 6th and 7th people in line which spanned blocks by the time 9 o'clock came around) and spent the next hour gabbing with fellow junkers.  

One of the thoughts we had the night before, was whether the people would have 'Black Friday mentality'.  You  know- elbows flared, ready to push you out of the way to get to what they wanted, kind of attitude.  But we were pleasantly surprised.  The first ladies we met were Nancy and Kathy.  They were probably our mother's age, and were old pros at the junking scene.  They traveled from Missouri for this show, and we later learned traveled the country to attend shows like this.  Both were so very interesting to talk to, and gave pointers on which booths had 'the deals', which were priced high, whether it was alright to bargain, and how it was important to snatch it if you liked a piece, because most don't last long.  Talking to them helped to ease the rather nervous feeling I had inside.  

When we first walked through the gate, there was an almost surreal feeling.  It was overwhelming the amount of 'stuff' there was to look at.  And it was impossible to know where to look first.  You kind of had to pick an area, stand there and look it over then move on to another area.  I remember kind of being in awe of all that I saw.... such creativity, such passion.  I took so many mental notes and took so many pictures.  I resorted to mainly using my phone for pictures because it just was so much easier with all that was going on around me.  Marta and I instagrammed our way through, an occasionally let out a squeal of excitement.  I am telling you this place was heaven on earth.

In the very first booth, I spotted this trunk.  It called out to me in all of it's robin egg blue glory.  I caressed it's original paint and the beautiful warn patina and pined for it.  But its price tag was intimidating.  So alas, I let it sit there, nestled underneath a table.  Marta and I walked away admiring all that we saw, however in the back of my mind all I kept doing was comparing everything I saw to the trunk.  About an hour passed and I realized I had to have it.  And I had broken a major rule!  I let it sit there!!  Marta saw the look in my eyes, grabbed my hand and we marched back to that very first booth (I may or may not have ran speed walked the last 100 feet) to see if it was still there or had a sold tag on it yet.  It did not!  So I talked the vendor (who was super sweet and nice) down to a price I was comfortable with and her husband slapped the sold tag on as another woman exclaimed 'It's too late!' in dismay.  That makes me believe it was meant to be mine :)

Everywhere you went there were small groups of giddy women, laughing and having fun.  The whole atmosphere was upbeat and there was almost an electricity in the air.  We took the opportunity to talk to different vendors and each was kind and passionate about what they did.  Perhaps my favorite quote from one was 'I have one job to feed my family,  And I have this job to feed my soul.'

IT SURE IS!!

uber cool display of vintage cameras

boob binder.... or bull blinder?

one of the few shots with my good camera

We searched the bonanza for an iron bed for one of Marta's daughters, but never found the one that was 'just right'.  We spent the entire 8 hours that junk bonanza was open searching for treasure.  We each found a few things, and even though she didn't find the bed, Marta snatched some great smaller finds. 

i was really into selfies... there were a lot of mirrors

We happened to be there on lucky Friday, and they had several drawings.  Marta and I each won a $25 dollar gift certificate which we happily spent.  She got a neat metal and wood organizer/serving tray and I snagged a large old ornate picture frame which I plan to paint and make an amazing part of my home.

this gal IS a junk gypsy... My sil Hiedi found my shirt at a thrift store just before we left and I had 6 people ask me about it!  It was a hit!

This sign was so appropriate.  The mamas were very happy.

'Gramps finally got the deer that had taunted him for so long'

Marta and I had a blast.  An ABSOLUTE blast.  Not only were we able to purchase some great pieces, we also we filled with so many ideas and energized to try some new projects.  Junkers are good people.  They find unique, creative ways to re-purpose the old and make it look fabulous.  I am so inspired to follow suit.  There is one thing that is for sure.  I WILL be attending next Fall with Marta.  I don't think anything could keep us away!  I learned that I met my match with that gal.  She can shop like no one else I know.  Except for myself.  It was a delight to shop with someone who has as much enthusiasm and insight into things as her... and as much stamina.  I can not name anyone else I would have rather gone with ♥!

The next day we explored the shoppes in and around Jordan, MN. It was rainy and we found a few minor things until we stopped here:

Um, they aren't kidding.  This store was like a block and a half long!!! It had just about anything you can imagine; there were candies I hadn't seen since I was a kid! Oh and 4 aisles of licorice.  LICORICE!!

And probably 1000 kinds of soda.  A few 'favorite' flavors (although I didn't taste them they sounded cool- and some gross!) : ranch dressing soda, peanut butter soda, banana soda, buffalo wing soda, doggie drool soda, bacon soda! I know.... what!?!  I picked up a few different kinds of ginger ale for Andy for a treat and we both had fun picking out special treats for our families as well:)

We drove home Saturday evening and I was so beat I was a rambling fool trying to stay awake so I could keep Marta awake behind the wheel.  Poor lady.... I honestly don't remember what I talked to her about in that last hour.  But I do remember what fun we had...  the silly things we laughed at,  those three carefree days without children... but starting to miss them towards the end... and what a great friend she is.

And I will not forget how I can't wait to do it again next year.  

JUNK BONANZA 2014- BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELTS!

watch out world...

I don't know if I will sleep tonight!  

It feels like I am a little kid, and it is Christmas Eve.  

After months... (like 9 months) of anticipation, my friend Marta and I are finally hitting the road for our Girl's weekend!
No whining.  No fast food. No wiping butts.

We have our bags packed, our lists made, and preparations at home are in place.  

Minnesota and Junk Bonanza are going to wonder what hit them.  

as of late...

Fall has been creeping in little by little here.  The temperature is gradually getting colder at night and the days are not getting warm enough for shorts any more.  We are starting to see little bits of red, yellow and orange dispersed throughout the abundance of green.  The crispness in the air points to the need for a sweater or sweatshirt and long pants most of the time, however it has been warming up enough to shed those by late afternoon.

The kids are well into the school year and seem to be loving it.  We have purchased alarm clocks for each of the kids rooms to get them up and going more easily, but it seems that they all have hit a wall... the excitement of the beginning of school which has carried them through the crabby, crying moments over the past weeks is beginning to wear off.  They are pretty darn tired by the end of the day, ready for bed at night and hard to rouse, even with the alarm clocks in the early morning hours lately.

whoops.... someone fell in!

Cassidy absolutely beams when she gets off of the bus from school.  She typically runs over and jumps into my arms and begins immediately telling me all about her day.  When we get inside she rips her backpack open and begins showing me all of her papers.  This little chicky is perhaps the most tired of the three.  Understandable because she is still new to two full days of school in a row routine.  I am so excited to get to chaperon an upcoming field trip to a local farm in October!

Proud of her Johnny Appleseed hat and apple book

I am loving my one on one time with Isaac on the days Cassidy is gone.  That boy has a sweet, tender little personality and he just makes me melt.  He speaks in sentences now and has developed a liking for Bob the Builder (ohhh you should hear him say it... it's like one word 'bobdabilder') and 'Thomas Choo Choo'.  He also just loves to be outside exploring, riding bikes, hearing and pointing out airplanes, and doing anything with Daddy.  He is a joy to have around.  And he developed this new cute little mannerism.  He will screech this high pitched 'Ahhh Choo!' randomly just to get me to laugh.  And it works every time.

 

I had Jack and Lucy into the doctors for their annual check ups last week.  Jack grew 2.5 inches and Lucy 3 inches since last year.  Believe me they have been outgrowing clothes like crazy.  Lucy is currently in a hip hop dance class and Cassidy is in gymnastics.  Jack will start a basketball camp in a few weeks.

In our free time we are eating up every last minute of time that we have left with this gorgeous weather. Walks in the woods and riding bikes rank high on our list.

candid

never a dull moment...

seven

 Hard to believe, but my baby girl turned seven on Sunday.  She was a beaming, cheerful little thing.  She requested she have a birthday crown like last year, and this year she helped to make it her very own.

At church in primary, when it is your birthday you get to put your head inside the cupcake as the whole primary sings you a birthday song! (Unless you are Jack and refuse.)

We enjoyed a morning at church, then headed to Grandma and Grandpa's for some cake and a little celebration. She got a new camera and case. (and much like her mom would have, dove in and started learning how to use it).

She requested a chocolate cherry cake made with chocolate buttercream frosting, which I made for her.  Grandma had a yummy chocolate cake waiting for her as well.  She shared the moment with some cousins as well as family :)

Lucy is a bright, helpful, thoughtful, creative spirit and we are so very thankful for her!