Hello Again

Yes, I AM still on the planet . . . or maybe hovering just above in the stratosphere . . .

My two little adopted grandchildren from Ethiopia are settled in, and my four year old grandson has proudly received them as his very own "brodder" and sister! They are learning English and adapting to our foreign culture quite nicely! Family is a wonderful thing . . .

Autumn is in the air, and my mind wanders to Thanksgiving, and what it will be like to celebrate such a holiday with these three little ones gathered around me. God is good! They will be experiencing "firsts" for some time to come . . . and this Thanksgiving will be a very special "first" for them. What will they think of Halloween???? Oh My!!!!

The Pumpkin Patch visit will be upon us any day now!

Business is bustling, and I'm just back from a fruitful road trip with a truckload of antiques.

Alice and I hitched up the trailer and set our sights on the Amana Colonies of Iowa . . . where we wandered through beautiful countryside to "Simply Iowa". Barb's show was fabulous - and the consistent rain, coupled with fog and temps hovering around 40 degrees were a moody backdrop for some of the most enjoyable days of treasure hunting! Candles provided a warm glow in her outbuildings, tents and fabulous shop. Barb is one of those wonderfully charismatic, kindred souls that I clicked with immediately. Arriving at her shop was like coming home to a familiar and happy place. Barb sent us on to a wonderful set of shops named Bloom and Sisters. They were just my cup of tea!

We headed to What Cheer the following day, already content with the booty we had stashed away . . . and encountered mud, mud and more mud, rain and cold and ummmm what treasures! I always laugh to myself when customers comment on what a perfect and lovely life I have - buying and selling antiques . . . . and visions of these days pop into my head . . . .

rain, mud, cold, fog, or on some trips, days so hot I melt into a puddle . . . mosquito bites, humidity, broken down vehicles, my trailer with a broken axle, and other assorted hassles, headaches and heartbreaks . . .

but, truth be told, I wouldn't trade it for any other lifestyle! There is something so exciting about the hunt, the find, the negotiation, the purchase, the ownership, (even tho' it's temporary), the travel, the unpacking and cleaning and pricing and inventorying and display and finally, the sale! It's not even the sale, as much as the delight of the person who purchases my finds!

The stay was sweet, and we were hosted by Alice's delightful daughter & son in law,

Susie & Mike. Susie is the best at locating the perfect haunts for great finds.

I have unpacked many of the wonderful things, and they're already being seen today at PATINA.

We're basking in the warm glow of being named

Denver's

NUMBER ONE

Antiques Shop,

by Channel 7's A-List.

We won the spot through the loyalty and support of our

incredible customers

and the community of dealers and buyers and friends who cast their votes for us.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! We love you all, so much!

Come see the wonderful treasures we've found for you . . . .

Joy