Friday, April 30, 2010

Sandwich Antique Market

P4250051
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.


P4250007
How cute are these mushroom stools!


P4250018
P4250020    

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


P4250023 
  


P4250026
P4250037


P4250004
 


P4250006


P4250013
Love this faux bois birdbath!


P4250039
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


P4250016_2
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. 


Walk in the woods 064




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. 


Walk in the woods 061






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



Wednesday, April 28, 2010

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! 


Jack's 11th Bday 050 


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.


Jack's 11th Bday 052




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





Jack's 11th Bday 061



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



 




 

Jack's 11th Bday 064 

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.


Jack's 11th Bday 069



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!









Jack's 11th Bday 075




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









Jack's 11th Bday 070




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!






Jack's 11th Bday 085


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!


Jack's 11th Bday 117



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















 



Jack's 11th Bday 120





Lily family, Aurora Crown Imperial.














Jack's 11th Bday 110





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













 




Jack's 11th Bday 128






 


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



Jack's 11th Bday 130




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




Jack's 11th Bday 114




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!



Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Macy's Flower Show

Macys_Flower_Show_2010
 

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.

P4100039 


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

France kids steampunk scottie 354
 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. 

P4100067
  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!

France kids steampunk scottie 339 P4100071   
 

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

France kids steampunk scottie 332 


P4100056   P4100050  

P4100052  

France kids steampunk scottie 348  

Some pictures of various displays on the first floor.

P4100053
Every inch was decorated...this was on top of the Clinique counter.

P4100059   This display was behind the Links of London jewelry counter.

France kids steampunk scottie 342 

There were plenty of floral tablescapes to see.  Most of them designed by Lenox or Martha Stewart.
P4100078 

P4100095 

P4100111
 
P4100093 


P4100098
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.

P4100100
 
This was the scene at the famous Walnut room on the seventh floor of Macy's.  This display was absolutely breathtaking in person.

P4100118
 The beautiful Burnham Fountain in Macy's.

P4100091                                          A view of the fountain from above.

France kids steampunk scottie 370 

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!