Snippets of my life

Living Green to me is simple-it's living simply.  Growing your own food,  adding some seasoning (fresh herbs)  drinking tea from your garden.  It eliminates the whole package, production, going to the market (gas), and really makes you look around and enjoy the simple pleasure of noticing life in the essence of it's being.  When you live this way you'll totally understand what I'm talking about.  It's so peaceful and satisfying.

The Harvest is at the bottom,  and it should really be the first photo.  Then I wanted to share with you what I do with the harvest...This one is yarrow drying without water, the canterbury bells and candy tuff are fresh flowers.

                               Chocolate Mint awaiting boiling water for tea.

                              Oregano and tarragon drying in the living room.

                                   An outdoor bouquet of cat mint in an old bucket.

                        The harvest...The garlic is now braided and hanging in my kitchen, and the veggies went into a pasta salad.

Thanks be to God!

Oh my Darlin Clemintine crates

Ok, so my son Weston absolutely loves clementines, and can eat a box in 2 days.  I found that the little boxes fit perfectly on my shelves in my craft closet.  I also save them for gift baskets.  I should first tell you that I don't buy gift wrap any more and haven't for years.  I feel that spending money on something you throw away is so wasteful in more ways than one,  and not good for the environment, so I make fabric gift bags or put the item in something useful.  For these little crates I would line them with a pretty dish towel or a scarf or even a scrap of fabric, then place the gift in.  They're great at Christmas for food gifts.

I just got done with my belt chair and had one small one left over.  I stapled it to the bottom of this crate and tucked West's toiletries in under his sink.
                                  This would be a great gift container too!
Does anyone else have some fun idea's for these little cuties?   I would love your thoughts, and please be thoughtful of your world when buying things that will just get thrown out again.  I brought my kids up using cloth napkins, cloth diapers and now cloth grocery bags.  They all turned out just fine.

Go Green!

Char

New Stuff!

Bernie and Linda had to hustle to get some projects completed because everything sold out.  So here are a few shots of the new items.

       This  is an awesome retro table...use as a bar or entry hall table.

                       Sorry the bar glasses sold already.
                           These were originally for the kitchen, but wouldn't it be great in a baby's                                         room or a bathroom.  (The syrup dispenser sold.)
                 Aqua buffet~ not just for the dining room anymore!  How about using it 

                 as a dresser in a bedroom or as a changing table??? 
                                    Here are a couple of attention getters for a boaring white table...add some color at the ends with these summery chairs!

These displays are all at the Creamery Antique Mall in Middlebury, Indiana.  Come Quick if interested, things are moving at a rapid pace!

DaddyO

Happy Father's Day to the best dad in the whole wide world (the handsome one on the end).  Not that uncle Jim isn't handsome too!  

Rumspringa Wear and Urban Twist

I've mentioned before that I have a few other little ditties that I love to do, so here they are...

RUMSPRINGA WEAR~ is 100% cotton Amish underwear gone wild.  I've been wearing it since I found it ( I was a teenager).  You can wear it alone or under another item or as pajama's.  I've been doing this business for about 15 years and they evolve with the times.  Right now they are embellished with stone or shell beads and dyed in fun colors.

This display is at Accent Framing and Gifts on Washington Street, in Goshen, IN.  Urban Lily's in South Bend (also on Washington Street-that's weird!) has a limited amount of the cami's.

URBAN TWIST~  Jewelry and purses  (display at Accent's)

RUMSPRINGA WEAR SETS for sleeping or staying warm

My daughter Rosemary wearing a short sleeve

Long sleeve T's  just chillin!

A day full of fun

Yesterday started at the Middlebury Farmers Market,  just a small walk away- I'm really going to love it.  Then after breakfast we took off for LaPaz, IN for the Folk Art Fest.  It was at a great farmette in the country with lots of great things.  Unfortunately I forgot my camera.  From there we went to Green Oaks Antiques, then just hit random antique shops (I can't even tell you what town we were in).

We drove into the town of Culver and ate appetiser's at Papa's on the lake.  And lastly we went to the Greek Fest. in South Bend.  Another food fest!  I love days when you just go with little planned and do whatever you want, and that is exactly what we did.

We got a little loot, and I actually remembered to take a picture!  

                                    Bernie, Linda & myself

Snippets of my life

The Thinker

That's me!  I so tend to zone out and daydream, but heck, that's where I get lots of my idea's!  So take some time to yourself this weekend to relax, chill, enjoy and think.

We are heading to the new farmers market (to do some "green shopping" think local.  Then to LaPaz to The First Annual Folk Art Gathering.  You can get the info by going to www.jessicaflores.com web site.  We met her at one of our shows and she is a very talented artist.

Ok, I do like some fun things and a mix, but I am always nature inspired, looking for interesting planters or bringing the outdoors in (garden statues).  So think outside the box and you'll never go back in.  Have a great weekend!                  ~ Char

Retro Corner

Here are a few more photo's of our booth at the creamery.  The Retro furniture is Haywood wakefield (The sofa is actually 2 chairs that can be used together or seperately, and it has matching end tables.

On the shelf Linda is displaying some great retro plastic wear, suitable for pool side dining or at the lake house.

Bernie's artwork

The Creamery Antiques

FINALLY, the summer collection is done and in the CREAMERY ANTIQUES.  We worked for two days taking out the old and bringing in summer!  Our new favorite color is  aqua 

(can you tell?!)                                                                                        

                   

This bureau has doors, and 2 drawers.  So lakeish, but would be great in a childs room.    I painted some fun accessories to match (a vintage jewerly box and book rack & the organizer above it).  The candelier hanging above would be beautiful under a tree in your back yard for romatic dinners in your garden.  Speaking of romance Happy Anniversary Ed!  I love you!                                                

                                                                                        

This is an entry way item, with lots of storage and easy access!

This large cabinet used to be used for my laundry table...lots of space for folding, and there are also doors on the back side.  I would love to see it as a kitchen island..

Vintage ivy terrace furniture, with a great french scene paint by number.

This shaby chic china hutch started it's life as a macho gun cabinet (it had a sex change!).

First Friday in South Bend

   Our First, for First Friday in South Bend was a hugh success.  The weather was absolutely perfect and the response was great.  Things started selling as soon as we set up!  Here are a few clips of our evening.

Bernie's birdhouse from reclaimed wood and other thing-a-ma-bobs.

A great piece for an entryway.  You can store all your winter woolens in the chest and everyone gets a basket for everyday items.

Out door collectables.

The greenhouse.

A Garden bird bath.

South Bend FIRST FRIDAY

Junk Evolution will be downtown South Bend June 5, from 5-9pm at Circa Arts Gallery, on the corner of Colfax and Hill Street..  Come and see our new Summer collection!. Char, Bernie & Linda Nearly forty downtown businesses are participating in First Fridays. They have been arranged in the following categories: ART GALLERIES DINING & NIGHTLIFE MUSEUMS SHOPPING AND SERVICES 1. ART GALLERIES  Circa Arts Gallery Eclectic Blend of Fine Art, Fine Crafts and Antiques - Representing Over 60 Local Artists 528 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 1 574-233-8400 Web: Click Here   Concrete Haus Custom Concrete Designs for Home and Business 520 E. LaSalle St. 574-252-9472   Colfax Cultural Center Home to Artist Studios, Galleries and Performance Space for Dancers 914 Lincoln Way West 574-968-0817 Web: Click Here Crossroads Gallery University of Notre Dame Institute for Latino Studies Gallery 217 S. Michigan St. 574-631-5224   Fire Arts, Inc A Working Studio/Gallery Featuring Three Dimensional Art - Tours, Lectures and Workshops Available 305 Colfax Ave. 574-282-2787 Web: Click Here New Galleries on Lincoln Way West Galleries 805 & 807- Displaying Works from Local, Regional and National Artists 807 Lincoln Way West 574-288-0160 Web: Click Here Piser Designs Artfully Crafted Furniture 516 E. Colfax Ave. 888-527-7477 Web: Click Here South Bend Museum of Art Galleries Featuring Contemporary and Historical American Art 120 S. St. Joseph St. 574-233-9112 Web: Click Here 2. DINING AND NIGHTLIFE Backstage Grill Music & Sports Themed Restaurant Serving a Variety of Great Menu Items. 222 S. Michigan St. 574-232-0222 Web: Click Here Barnaby's Family Dinning – Pizza, Sandwiches & Salads 713 E. Jefferson Blvd. Web: Click Here Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bar Serving Wings and Burgers – Trivia and Big Screen TVs 123 W. Washington St. 574-232-2293 Web: Click Here Carmela's at Macri's Authentic Italian Bistro – Italian Classic’s, Sandwiches & Soups 214 N. Niles Ave. 574-280-4824 Web: Click Here   Chicory Café French Quarter Style Coffee House 105 E. Jefferson St. 574-234-1141 Web: Click Here   Fiddler’s Hearth Irish ‘Public House’ and Gathering Place for Celtic Musicians – Food and Drink Menu 127 N. Main St. 574-232-2853 Web: Click Here Jimmy Johns “World’s Greatest Gourmet Sandwiches” Giant Clubs, Subs & Wraps 138 S. Michigan St. 574-246-1020 Web: Click Here   LaSalle Grill Causal Cuisine, Cocktails & Conversation 115 W. Colfax Ave. 574-288-1155 Web: Click Here   Le Peep Causal Dinning - Breakfast and Lunch – Catering and Meeting Rooms Available 127 S. Michigan St. 574-288-7337 Web: Click Here   Macri's Italian Bakery Authentic Italian Bakery - Sweet Pastries, Imported Specialty Foods and More 214 N. Niles Ave. 574-282-1010 Web: Click Here Sean O’ Casey’s @ the Marriott Hotel Authentic Irish Pub – Irish Dishes and Drinks 123 N. St. Joseph St. 574-234-2000 Web: Click Here   The Cellar Door @ The Holiday Inn Fine Affordable Dining for the Entire Family 211 W. Washington St. 574-323-2120 The South Bend Chocolate Café Unique Blend of Café, Candy Store, Bakery with Beer and Wine Bar - Family Friendly Activities and Menu 122 S. Michigan St. 574-287-0725 Web: Click Here   The State Café & Catering Restaurant Home-Style Cooking -  Breakfast and Lunch – Catering Available 117 E. Wayne St. 574-234-0030 Web: Click Here   Trio's Restaurant & Jazz Club Restaurant and Jazz Club - Catering and Private Meeting Facilities 129 N. Michigan St. 574-288-8746 Web: Click Here 3. MUSEUMS Center for History Magnificent Historic Site Showcasing:  A 38-Room Victorian Mansion, Charming 1930s Cottage, Galleries Filled with Local and Notre Dame History, a Children's Museum and Compelling Visiting Exhibitions 808 W. Washington St. 574-235-9664 Web: Click Here   HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum Educational Health Museum Designed for Children Ages 5 to 12 111 W. Jefferson St. # 200 574-647-5437 Web: Click Here Studebaker National Museum See 114 Years of Automotive History, Including the Last Car to Roll Off the Studebaker Assembly Line - From Settlers’ Wagons to High Performance Automobiles 201 S. Chapin St. 574-235-9714 Web: Click Here South Bend Museum of Art Galleries Featuring Contemporary and Historical American Art 120 S. St. Joseph St. 574-233-9112 Web: Click Here 4. SHOPPING AND SERVICES   Access Imprinted Sportswear Custom screen printing and embroidery services. 530 E. LaSalle St. 574-232-1231 Web: Click Here Bombay International Unique Clothing, Gifts, Jewelry and Home Décor from India and Beyond 119 S. Michigan St. 574-271-8865 Dream Coach Carriages Friday Night Carriage Rides. Located by the Morris Performing Arts Center 7 – 10 p.m. Choose the Historic Washington Street ($30) or Taste of Michigan Street Tour ($20) for a charming horse drawn ride through the city. 574-654-3616 Web: Click Here Dhanwantari Center for Yoga & Well-Being Uses ancient therapeutic practices such as Hatha yoga, ayurveda, & meditation to promote healing and maintain a state of harmony in the mind, spirit and body.   117 S. Michigan St. 574-288-9642 Web: Click Here Hair Crafters Day Spa Salon Hair Design, Color, Perms, Nail Care, Tanning, Skincare and Message Therapy 602 Lincoln Way East 574-288-2448 Web: Click Here Inspire Me! A Store for Fashionistas 520 & 528 E. Colfax Ave. 574-232-1798 Web: Click Here   Memorial Health & Lifestyle Center Medically Based Fitness Facility – Full Amenities 111 W. Jefferson St. Suite 300 574-647-2653 Web: Click Here   Nicholas J. Salon and Spa Full Service Salon & Day Spa  122 S. Michigan St., Suite 110 574-233-5544 Web: Click Here   Spark Fine Stationery Fine Paper, Gifts and Invitations 219 N. Hill St. 574-233-8330 Web: Click Here

© 2009 Downtown South Bend, Inc.

The Junkies are tripping!

ROAD TRIP -We break for junk!  Bernie, Linda, Ed and I decided to do the US 40 garage sale,( a sale that stretches from state to state).  We jumped on in Richmond, IN.  On the way up we saw an estate sale sign in Kimell (a very small farm town).  Since it was bright and early we hit the mother load of great oldies.  Someone made the comment, "Well should we just go home"?  We asked the owner if we could store it until Sunday, and that was fine, so on we went.  The garage sales were ok, but since they started on Wednesday and it was Friday, they were picked over.  We did the 20 mile stretch and got a few treasures, then headed up to Madison, IN, home of Clifty Falls State Park, it's right on the Ohio River.  We stayed the night, then hiked then next morning.

This is one of the many beautiful sights.

                                                               Me, Bernie & Linda (The Junkies)
                                                Clifty Falls State Park.

                                                Ed, Linda & Bernie at the dock restaraunt on the Ohio river.  We always forget to take pictures of our loot, sorry about that, but the van we rented was pretty full,  so check the shop next week for some great new displays.