The Stone Rabbit

LABOR DAY WEEKEND.....it was a busy one!

 

Did you have a big Labor Day Weekend?

Mine was full. . . and could have been even fuller had my buddy Bonnie not been visited by a respiratory bug that sidelined her for the holiday.

These photos show where we were a year ago last Thursday. . . at a flea market!

Yes, Bonnie and I were planning on attending again this year, but cancelled because she was sick. 

 

I'm sorry she felt horrible, but we probably should not have gone anyway. . .the temperatures were up near 100.  Last year, we shopped in the rain . . . and it was lots cooler. . . but pretty muddy!

 

Something else we always do together on Labor Day Weekend is visit the local festival that goes on around our historic square in Independence.  It's called Santa Cali Gon Days.

We always gripe about how it's not as good as it used to be, but we still head up there....just in case something great is waiting for us!  :)

I took this photo last year when Bonnie and I arrived. . . .first thing on the opening day.  You can see it wasn't too packed at that point.  That's why we always go super early....to avoid the massive crowds that come later in the day and every day through Labor Day.

 

 

 

 

Since Bonnie was still sick, I decided to go check out the craft tents.  You can see that many of the vendors were still setting up, but most have learned that the "hard core shoppers" get there early and they should be ready for business a couple of hours before the "official" opening!  :)

See how lonely I looked. . . shopping all by myself!  :(  Meeeeeee and my shaaaadow. . . . .

 

 That night, my husband and I had planned on attending The Irish Fest.  These photos are from last year's event.  

However, it was still crazy hot on Friday night, so we decided to wait and hit it on Saturday evening. . .

after we attended the second birthday party of our little great niece!

Unfortunately, the heavens opened up and it poured buckets and buckets of rain, so we skipped the festival this year.  :(

BUT. . . the rain was a welcome sight because it brought in a COLD FRONT that is still going on as I type this some three days later!

I sure wish we could send some of our amazing weather to Texas and Oklahoma. 

 

Oh, and because I was entered in a 5K Labor Day Run, I started "carb loading" on Saturday morning!  Carb loading is my favorite part of running!!!  It gives me a legitimate excuse to enjoy one of my favorite food groups..."carbs".  OK....I know carbs are not really a food group, but they are still my favorite foods.

This was my "lunch" on Sunday after church....a cranberry, nut, wheat germ pancake!  SOOO deliciously carbohydrated.

 

 

On Sunday afternoon, my daughter and I headed back to Santa-Cali-Gon Days.  I like this shadow photo much better!

I have to say I have not taken her to this event since she was about 2 years old.  We went there with my brother and sister in law and their two kiddos....we took our two kiddos.  The cousins were five, four, three and two.  It was horrible.

But this time, it was wonderful to be there with her!  :) 

 

And now this was a shot of the crowd around the historic court house on that day. . . .THOUSANDS of folks!  It was almost too much for me.

I was being a real pain to my daughter.....whining about how hard it was to make our way through the crowds, when we spotted the FUNNEL CAKE BOOTH.

YAY!  Another carb loading opportunity!!!

 

While we had to wait quite a while for our funnel cake, because the line was sooooooo long with others who were also anxious to carb load, it was soooooo worth it!

 

 

There were about 7 or 8 huge craft tents at the festival.  On Sunday afternoon, they were PACKED with shoppers.  There was no way I was going to go through them....I'd already done that early Friday and my girl had zero interest in doing that, but she would have if I said I wanted to look.  :)

 

That evening, we grilled steaks and I continued my carb loading with awesome twice baked potatoes!!  After all, the 5K was the next morning!

 

 

Besides the activities mentioned, I checked on my friend's cat while they were out of town over the extended holiday.  

He got friendlier as the days went by!  I also bribed him with kitty treats.  :)   Just call me the "Cat Whisperer"......meeeeeooooow!

 

Another place I went on Saturday afternoon was a funeral.  It was that of the mom of one of my best friends in high school.

I am so glad I did make the effort to attend, even though it meant I was driving, driving, driving that day from one thing to another.  

She was a very important figure in my high school years. . . always opening her house to me when I needed a place to stay after school or over night.  I lived 12 miles from the town where my school was located.  It wasn't easy for my parents to pick me up after school events, so she kindly let me join her family whenever I needed to.

Plus her daughter and I were very close during high school.  Sadly, we drifted apart over the years....she moved to another state and I left that rural area and rarely saw anyone I went to school with.

On Saturday, at the funeral, I had the honor of visiting for awhile with that friend and three others.  The last time  I saw them was three years ago when another high school friend had died.  At that time, we vowed we'd get together and not wait to see each other at such sad times.

We didn't follow through with those plans.

I hope we do this time.  We're all in our mid sixties.  What on earth are we waiting for?

 

OK...so bright and early on Labor Day morning, I ate a banana and a piece of whole wheat toast.....carb loading to the bitter end.

I  put on my running clothes and shoes and. . . .

 

 participated in my first every Labor Day 5K run!!!

It was the perfect day. . . cool and clear and the course was FLAT!!!

I will share more about that fun experience in a couple of days.

I can't believe that I just started running a year ago and have now participated in six 5K runs.  It's something I'm very proud of. . . and so is my doctor.  In fact, when I went to his office today to  review my recent lab report, I was THRILLED to see that my over all cholesterol level had dropped 30 points since February.  I was a really bad girl over the holidays.  I've backed off the sweets and was able to get back to my running as well as taking a couple of great classes at our gym each week that are big in cardio exercise, strength, balance and core work!!

*I'm in my mid-sixties.

*I am a runner.

*Push ups are still a challenge, but I can jump rope. . . and I don't mean "skipping" rope....I mean JUMPING rope!  :)

*I love to carb load!  :)

DANA

IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR BINGHAM-WAGGONER 2011!!!!

 

Oh my. . . . I can barely STAND it!!!  

 

The one day of the year I look forward to the most will be here on Saturday!  Yep, it is the day we are treated to the best antique and craft fair of the summer on the grounds of the historic BINGHAM-WAGGONER estate in Independence, Missouri.  

 

On Saturday, the lawn of the estate will fill up with:

 

awesome vendors

 

 

 

 

 

great PINKS

 

delicious foody treats

 

 

 

 

 

wonderful music

 

 

 and US. . . old friends and new friends. . . . along with tons of fellow shoppers.

 

 





We come in the rain. . . .

 

and in the heat. . . .

 

to look . . .  

 

and look . . . .

 

 

and to buy. . . .

 

and buy!

Then at the end of a long hot (or wet) day of shopping and eating our way around the sale. . . it's a great just to kick back, sip some iced tea and/or lemonade and just relax.  

You just can't beat the atmosphere of fun, friends and finds at the BINGHAM-WAGGONER ANTIQUE and CRAFT FAIR.

 

Here are a few of the "treasures" I found last year!  

In the middle of the items you can see a black metal flower basket.

THE STONE RABBIT wanted you to see that right now,  that black metal basket is in the middle of our dining room table.  It is holding a vintage Uncle Sam bank, a commemorative Bicentennial plate and a bit of flag ribbon!  

 

I can hardly wait to see what goodies come home with me this year from the sale!!  :)




Please be certain to visit our hostess Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  She is so kind to host PINK SATURDAY every week, just so all of us and gather and share our PINKS!!!

 

Have a great PINK SATURDAY!

 

DANA

Happy Pink Saturday. . . July 4, 2010 Revisited!!!!

 

For YEARS, our family tradition has been to attend this small town parade, followed by a gathering with friends and family for an afternoon of dining, visiting, playing.......and just appreciating Independence Day in the USA!!!!

 

 

 

                                          *    *    *    *    *    *    *    

 

 

 

"God Bless America, 

 

 

Land that I love. 

 

 

 

Stand beside her,

 

 and guide her, 

 

Thru the night

 

 

 with a light

 

from above. 

 

From the mountains,

 

to the prairies, 

 

To the oceans,

 

white with foam.

 

God bless America,

 

 

My home sweet home.

 
 

 

God bless America,

 

  

My home sweet home.

Blessings go out to you and yours this Independence Day!

 

Don't forget to visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND.   There you will find many bloggers with PINKS to share during this time of "Red, White and Blue"!!

DANA

GOOD TIMES CAPTURED WITH PINK!

 

 Last Saturday morning, I drove over to one of our most prized locations in Independence, MO. . . THE TRUMAN LIBRARY.

 

 

 

I was happy to see that the "Chick-fil-A EAT MORE CHICKEN" cow had shown up, too!

 

 We were all there to be a part of the  6th annual L.I.N.K. 5K RUN/WALK  , which helps to raise money for a fund that awards college scholarship money to local high school students.

"Chick-fil-A" was one of the sponsors of the run. . .it was great to have the cow "mingling" with the participants.

 

 

 

After we sang The National Anthem. . . . (I love this part of the runs). . . .

we were off!!!!

I am on the left side....wearing my "lucky" yellow visor!!!

That part of the run was awesome. . . we went down the long sloping drive of the library. . . 

 and headed for the 3.1 miles it would take to complete this run.

Sadly, I have to say it, was not one of my stellar days.

Right off the bat, there was a hill. . . and by the time I made it up that, I was pooped for the rest of the run.

I even had to stop and walk. . . for the very first time in a 5K EVER!!! (OK...I've only done five of them. )

 

My calves were sooooo tired and I just couldn't "talk myself" out of the way they felt.  SO,  I walked....twice during the run.

 

As it turned out, my time wasn't terrible for ME.  I did the run in 34 min. and 54 sec..  I could have had a decent run if I didn't have to take time out to recoup.  

 

 

One thing I always look forward to, following a run,  are the "treats" the organizers/volunteers have ready for us.  

 

Cold water is especially a good thing after running/walking and so is juice.   There's always fruit...like oranges, bananas and/or grapes.  Often, there's yogurt.  Sometimes there are yummy eats. . .like this breakfast roll I nabbed!  NOTE:  I'd already consumed my banana by the time I thought to take a picture.  :)

 

 While we waited for the run results. . . 

 

 

one of the awesome organizers of this event drew names for prizes!!!  There were some good ones, too.  

I really hoped I would get a gift certificate to our local running store, but I didn't.  In fact, I usually don't win anything, so when my name was FINALLY drawn I was thrilled!  

There were only three prizes left to choose from and they were all . . . 

 "chips".  

I couldn't see what they said on them, but picked the purple one.

No one seemed to know what they represented.  I have to drive to this local Harley spot and find out!! I'll let you know when I collect my "prize".  

Do you think I won a "HOG"?  WOW!  That would be an awesome prize!   :)

 

 Next, they announced the results of the run. . . first, second and third places for each division.  The divisions are based on gender and age.

I was actually shocked that I was in third place in my division.  It wasn't such a big deal, since there were only 5 or 6 of us in the Female 60-64 age group.  However, the first and second place gals beat me by a little over 3 minutes...which is a lot of time.  I was kicking myself that I had to walk cuz it really slowed me down.  

OK, I am a bit competitive....I need to refocus on beating MY personal times, not someone else's...right?  I promise I'll work on that.

HOWEVER: I came away with some lessons learned.

1.  I didn't give my legs enough rest before the run.  In the days before the 5K, I'd run over 3 miles,  two times.  On top of that, I'd attended hard workouts at the gym on two nights.  So, instead of "resting" for 2-3 days prior to the run, I'd only rested one day.  Not smart for my elder legs.

2.  While I include hills in my runs, I have never started out with a hill in my outings.  I will toss that challenge in over  my runs in the future.

3.  Here's a big lesson learned:  Do NOT eat bar-b-que the night before a real 5k...ever, ever, ever again. :(

 

THE STONE RABBIT loved my third place medal!!  

He thinks it's awesome that I was able to complete the run at all.....especially since he saw how miserable I was when I left the house that morning....cursing the bar-b-que I'd eaten the night before!!  :)

Oh, and did you notice the swell iPhone he's showing you?  That was a gift from my hubby for our anniversary!!!

I had it with me at the run and took almost all of the photos you saw on this post with it!!!

 

I'm sure you are loving the PINK shell I selected for the phone!!!  Oh, and it's hard to tell, but Izzie's collar is brown with PINK flowers!!! 

 

Yep, we love our PINKS around here....even THE STONE RABBIT has learned how much fun PINK can be!

 

 

 

You're certain to have PINK FUN today if you hop on over to Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  Lots of other bloggers are ready and waiting to share their PINKS with you, too!

 

Have a great PINK SATURDAY!

 

DANA

 

 

 

 

 

I have to share this with you, too.  Rhondi, of ROSE COLORED GLASSES, is hosting her annual PORCH PARTY on June 21.  If you haven't participated in it before, you should!!!  

 

It's so much fun.  We get to visit  the porches and patios of fellow bloggers. . . all decked out in their summer fun!

 

OK, now I need to work on my porch....the pressure is on!!!  :)

PINKS ON "THE SQUARE"!!!

 

The day before Mother's Day was just beautiful in our city of Independence, Missouri.  It was as if the weather had been specially "ordered" for the annual Flower and Garden Sale on THE SQUARE of this historic town!! 

The vendors set up shop around the old court house, giving us the longed for burst of color which, after our Missouri Winter, is always such a welcome sight.

 

Besides the amazing array of plants, you can usually find President Harry S. Truman, strolling around The Square, greeting the  shoppers and . . . .

 

reminiscing  about his unexpected victory over Dewey!!!  In fact, he keeps a copy of the newspaper with that famous headline in his pocket!!

 

 

This year my neighbor was able to attend the sale with me.  She was pleased with the  gorgeous plants she found for her flower pots.

 

 

I ran into my buddy Sharleen at the sale, too.  She was hunting for a hanging plant. . . and was really impressed with the size and beauty of this one!!!

In fact, Sharleen no doubt knew I'd be at the sale, so she wore her PINK jacket. . .just in case I needed a Pink Saturday photo!!!

I've trained my friends well!!!  :)

 

This vendor had such a gorgeous selection of hanging plants!!!

 

I didn't get hanging plants, but did pick up several small pots of Gerber Daisies to use as Mother's Day gifts the next day!

 

Sharleen was pleased with her purchased. . . and the help she had in getting that huge plant to her car!!

 

This is Debbie Kraft,   a local gal and the author of  "Perfect 10 Cookbooks, Family Secrets" .   I saw that she not only had her cookbooks for sale, (I bought mine at another sale)  but she also had added a line of "toppings" which she calls "Island Jamz".   My neighbor and I each purchased a jar. . . I selected Pineapple-Coconut Rum!!!!  I'm saving it to drizzle over some yummy vanilla ice cream one day. . .  very, very soon!!!  If you clink on the link, you can see the amazing selection of flavors. . . and the many uses for her delicious "toppings"!!

 

This is Stephanie Speers. . . another local entrapeneur.

Stephanie creates the most delicious sweet treats.  Her business, called PIN-UP PASTRIES, specializes in cupcakes, cake pops, cookies and brownies. 

Don't you just LOVE how she incorporates so much PINKNESS into her displays and creations?  I sure do!

 

I personally had to sample one of these and . . . .

 

one of these!!!

Somebody had to do it. . . .right?   :-)

They were wonderful!!!!



I feel so lucky to live near our wonderful square that hosts so many great events throughout the year. . . especially the annual garden show.  It's a very special surprise when local small businesses share their wares  at these events, too.

 

Just looking at Stephanie's wonderful cup cake pictures makes my mouth water as I write this post.   Sadly, I don't have any of her sweet delights to satisfy my urge for sugar.  

 

HOWEVER. . . I did remember that I still had the box of PINK Cuppy-cakes left from last week's Pink Saturday Birthday Party!!!!

 

 

Sadly, THE STONE RABBIT reported there was just ONE PINK Cuppy-cake left!

It seems the hubby had been enjoying these little goodies all week long!!!!  Guess I will have to find a better hiding place in the future!  ;-)

 

While these little gems are not nearly as pretty OR tasty as Stephanie's, THE STONE RABBIT and I have to say. . . .

they are still pretty danged yummy!!!! 

 

   

 

Please visit Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND for a long list of fellow bloggers with PINKS to share with you!

 

Happy Pink Saturday!!

 

DANA

SO MANY CANDLES!!

 

 Woo-wee "Birthday Season" is in full swing around here. . . and that means lots of fun and LOTS of candles!

Our Breakfast Group celebrated Mary Ann's special day by gathering at "Avenue's Bistro" in Leawood, KS., for lunch and birthday sweets. . . note the PINK candle in the cake!

Pictured here (L to R) are Beth, Mary Ann and Mary!

 

(L to R) Patty, Laura, and Dana (me!) 

We also had a little "gifty" time for the birthday girl.  This photo shows Mary Ann  with the gorgeous apron Laura made for her from a vintage table cloth!

 

Bonnie was next on the Birthday Parade!

She, Marian and I went to a flea market that day, then stopped by Bonnie's to open presents.

When Bonnie went inside, through the garage door, I pulled my gift out of the back of my vehicle and placed it on her front porch.

Then I made her come out the front door for a birthday pose!  :)

She had seen this metal dress form when we were out shopping recently.  I thought she was gonna buy it that day, but when she didn't, I decided I would. . . for her birthday gift!

I attached a little chalk board to it - - - - on which I wrote Happy Birthday.  Sadly, I smeared "birthday" when I was hauling the dress form to the porch.   The shopping tote contained smaller gifts, too.  

 

Marian made the most wonderful cupcakes for this special occasion.  They were chocolate with peanut butter frosting. . . mouth watering.  

She added the little ice cream cone candle. . .  PINKNESS. . .

 

 

 

with a flame!!!!

AFTER dessert, we headed over to SQUARE PIZZA, on The Historic Square in Independence, MO, for a very late, but yummy lunch!!

 

Last weekend was Marian's birthday celebration!!!

She wanted to see HOP, so we did!!

Here Marian (on the left) and I are standing outside of THE PHARAOH THEATER on The Historic Independence (Missouri) Square!  

You can tell my our hair-dos that it was a verrrry windy day!

 

After the show, we had a great lunch at THE COURTHOUSE EXCHANGE, then returned to Bonnie's car where Marian's presents were waiting for her to open!  

Did you notice that Bonnie used the tote I gave her?  :)

 

 Yep, inside that tote was a delicious cake she had brought for Marian's birthday! (It was in the box she was holding!)  Plus, plates, forks, napkins, lighter AND. . . .

 

the candle. . . . which was  lit in honor of her special day!!

That cake was SO, SO scrumptious!!!

I LOVE birthdays. . . don't you?  

 

 

OK, I'll admit I  wasn't too excited about seeing Marian's movie selection, but I'm so glad she picked HOP. . .  we all LOVED it.  It was so cute and very, very funny.

However we all agreed. . . 

 

that after viewing this little story about the Easter Bunny and his boy, EB, we will . . . 

 

 

 

 never look at jelly beans. . . 

 

the same way again!!   :)  

If you've seen the movie. . .you will know what I mean.  

If you haven't seen it. . . you should!!!

 

 

 

 

Oh, and one other thing you should do is visit Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND!

She will have gobs of other bloggers waiting for you to see the PINKS they're sharing this week!

Happy Pink Saturday!!!  

DANA

LABOR DAY WEEKEND TRADITION

For over thirty years, I have attended the Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival in Independence, MO.  It's a huge event held annually around the historic courthouse.  Thousands of folks attend.   

The festival has a variety of entertainment, loads of tempting food booths, a carnival and, my personal favorite. . .  several tents filled with vendors selling a wide variety of items.  

In earlier years, it was very hard to get to be a vendor at this sale.  The committee was very selective about who they wanted there. . . concentrating on quality hand-made wares.  Sadly, over time, the folks in charge have let tons of imported items flood the booths.  Very few quality, hand-made items are there any more.  

Here are some of the "crafters" tents.  I tried to get a view that showed how long each row of tents was, but I ended up getting the alley between the tents!  

The tents that line the streets going around the court house are mainly food and business booths. 

The festival opened Friday morning.  We were there early. . . and so were lots of other folks!  This year, the temps were in the mid-70s, with beautiful blue skies. . . and lots of wind!  Last year on the first day, it was pouring.  

My friend Sharleen's shop, LUTICIA CLEMENTINE'S, is located on The Square, too.  We made certain we stopped by to  hi to her.   I told her I needed a couple of PINK items to share for PINK SATURDAY. . . and she happily pointed out this darling outfit and . . . . 

 sweet little booties!!!!
 
 

I didn't buy much this year at the sale, BUT one item THE STONE RABBIT really loved was the new TYLER candle I found at LUTICIA CLEMENTINE"S.  It's a yummy fall scent called "Homecoming". 

Today's outing at the sale, which is always held on Labor Day Weekend, put me in the mood for pumpkins and gourds and yummy fall scents. Thanks to Sharleen's fine candle selection. . . I'm ready to jump into fall!!!  THE STONE RABBIT says he's ready for fall, too, but he will HOP into it !!! 

  
 
  Please visit our hostess, Beverly, at HOW SWEET THE SOUND!  She will have a very long list of bloggers who also have pinks to share with you!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY. . . and have a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend!!

DANA

BINGHAM-WAGGONER ANTIQUE SALE 2010

On Saturday, July 10, I attended the annual antique show held on the grounds of the Bingham-Waggoner Estate in Independence, Missouri!  I always look forward to this event.  It's a gathering of amazing vendors with their wares displayed in such a gorgeous place!! 

My friends and I always try to arrive early. . . it's cooler and you get to see what's available for sale before items are "picked over"!!   

However, before we start serious shopping. . . we take a few minutes to enjoy a breakfast of biscuits and gravy.  Here is Bonnie. . . SO excited about this annual meal!!  :)

  Temptations were everywhere!!!!

This is my friend Kathy Taylor, a great artist.  I recently wrote about her (HERE) .  Kathy is showing me a rug she is working on. . . it features one of her beloved cats, named Gabby!!!

Here's a photo of that wonderful feline featured on Kathy's hooked rug!



 Marian is pictured with a vintage, plastic Bud Light dog. . . the price tag was (gulp) $110.00!!!  No, she didn't buy it, nor was she even interested in it. . . I just thought they looked cute together in their blue shirts. . . so she kindly posed for the photo !!!   Antique shows present unlimited opportunities for fun. . . as well as great finds!

Here I am, on the right.. . . holding the cookbook  I just bought from the author, Debbie Kraft!  Debbie was also in one of the same shows I did earlier this year.  I didn't have a chance to meet her then, so I was thrilled when I saw her at this sale!!!  Her book is filled with wonderful time-tested family recipes!! 

 

The "Spirit of Independence" Community Band  provided the greatest music during the show!

I knew my pal Jill (on the left) of BITTERSWEET SOAP was going to be at the sale.  It was so fun to run into her and her friend Rita!   They're smiling cuz they found lots of terrific treasures!!

 

This year, there were several overdressed folks mingling with the shoppers!

Whoa!! This guy was heading our way. . . he appeared to be trying to tell us something. . . or offer us some refreshment!!

  It seems he thought Bonnie and I would love to meet  a few of his friends , so he called them over!!!   It was a good thing Jill was there to capture that moment. . . no one would have believed us otherwise!! :)  HUZZAH!!!,

Actually, these fine folks, and MANY others, were "in character" during their time at the sale. . . visiting with the shoppers and promoting the upcoming Renaissance Festival held annually in Bonner Springs, Kansas.

 

After several HOURS of eating and shopping we took a little break and enjoyed some iced tea and lemonade.  Once rested, we loaded up our "finds" and headed home. 

It was another WONDERFUL day at the Bingham-Waggoner Antique Show and Sale!!!   YOU should come next year- - - I'm certain you'd love it, too!

 

A few of my "buys". . . .a great old magazine rack (perhaps to be painted black?) and a "perfectly rusted" coal or ash bucket. . great for all sorts of fall arrangements,

 

a vintage black metal floral basket. . . I'm seeing orange pumpkins and fall leaves arranged in that.

 Bonnie and I each purchased several of these paper mache' flower pots . . . we have a plan!!!

A  metal stand (on the left) that holds pictures.....or messages!  It's not old, but it's sure cool!!  I also picked up two vintage black hats (another plan in mind for them), a neat wood tote (I have a thing for totes. . . especially if they're CHEAP) and some  blue paper  mache' fruit baskets!!   I'll probably use them in my spring show!

   

Here's a super old bench that went to a dressing table at one time.  It needs some work, but I clearly see it has a bright future!

Besides old totes, I love vintage baskets. . . so does THE STONE RABBIT!!!  If I can get him out of this one,   I will use it in tons of ways. . . .displaying seasonal arrangements, holding papers, or maybe it will end up  in a future sale!!!  That's the fun of treasure hunting. . . once you have your "finds" , you can keep them or sell them to someone else to love for awhile!!!

  DANA

Bingham-Waggoner Antique Sale ANTICIPATION!!!

This is such a fun packed time !!!  Last weekend we celebrated Independence Day with a parade and a picnic and loads of good times with family and friends.  However,THIS Saturday is probably one of my all time favorite days of the year!  It's the day that my buddies and I meet up at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate in Independence, Missouri, for their annual antique and craft show!!

Below is a photo of the mansion as seen on the website.  Please click on the link above to read more about the sale and the many other activities that take place there!

 

THE STONE RABBIT knows how very much I love going to this sale!  He thought he'd help me out by locating my HUGE flag bag that's perfect for taking to sales!    I just added the bottle of water (cuz it can be a HOT day!) and a little cold, hard cash!!

L to R you see Bonnie, Marian, me and Patty. . . posing just as we go into the sale!  They all have flag bags, too!!  This photo was taken at the sale in 2007!

Here I've met up with some of Bonnie's buddies. . . all with their flag bags!  :)
 
 

One of the very first items on our agenda . . . breakfast!!!  We have been known to wait too long and they RUN OUR OF BISCUITS AND GRAVY!!  Not last year, however!!  We headed to the food booth first thing!!

There are about 125 vendors spread out on the grounds of the estate!  It's a beautiful venue for such a fantastic show!!
 

This is Kathy Taylor.  She does the most fabulous painting on gourds!!  She is a "cat lover", so one of the primary designs in her paintings are . . . cats!!  I have a little Christmas tree that I fill  with the wonderful gourd decorations I have purchased from her over the years!

 

My heart is beating with excitement as I revisit some of the wares from last year!
 

This booth belongs to Nancy Rose aka The Gourd Lady!  She also paints on gourds, but with a different style than Kay.  Nancy and I go waaaaaay back!!  MANY years ago, when we were first teaching, she was the art teacher and I was speech therapist in the same building!!! :) 
 

I can HARDLY wait!!
 

Someone I ALWAYS look forward to seeing each year is an OLD high school classmate. . . Sharon!  Actually, she's two years younger and was my sister's very close friend!  She does this sale with her sister!  It's always fun to see what tempting items they have gathered for the sale!

Here's another friend, Vicky.  She's hauling a buy to her vehicle!!  Vicky owns, OLD GLORY in Greenwood, Missouri. It's a fabulous shop filled with wonderful primitive furniture and decoratives!
 

Talented local musicians are shown preparing to entertain the crowd.
 

LUNCH TIME!!!
 

Bonnie found some bargains.

  

My friend's daughter, Cassie,  had a booth at the sale, too!  Here she modeled her super sweet skirt made from vintage handkerchiefs! 

I LOVE old metal picnic baskets!!!
 
 

Last year, among my purchases, were a sock monkey, a wooden chimney and a tarnished silver tray!!!  I know I bought more.....I just don't recall what!!  :)  I resold the monkey and the tray in my own sales. . . I still haven't figured out what to do with the chimney. . . but I will!

I wanted to show you a few photos from the 2008 sale, too!  First, cuz we had missed the biscuits and gravy the year before, Patty brought us fresh cinnamon rolls to enjoy before the sale!!

Here I am with my high school friend again. . . and a metal picnic basket purchase!! :)
 

Here's a shot of the mansion. . . it was very cloudy and RAIN was predicted!!!  We shopped quickly because it wasn't too long after I took this photo that. . . .
 

the umbrellas had to come out!!!
 

The rain became so heavy that some vendors had to stay dry in any way they could!!
 

We stayed until it was no longer fun to shop in the rain, so we headed back to the parking lot and . . . .
 

crawled into the back of my van, out of the rain.  Then, we finished the cinnamon rolls!!

 

Talking about the rain reminded me. . . .I'd better put my umbrella in my flag bag, too!! 

DANA

THE FUN OF SIMPLE PINKNESS

THE STONE RABBIT wants to show you one of the most popular items in our house!

It's hard to believe that this recycled  "simple PINKNESS" can provide. . .

 

so much fun!!!

Twiggy can spend hours playing "tug" with it or whacking it under footstools and chairs just so she can figure out how to retrieve it.

She and THE STONE RABBIT also like to play a game they call "How Fast Can  You Get the Pink Ring Off My Ear"! 

On that day, Twiggy set a record of 3.7 seconds!!!  

 

Frankie doesn't like that game . . .

especially when he's trying to take his Cat Nap!

 

Whitney would rather keep the Pinkness on her ear instead of having one of the others try to rip it off.   She says she always gets compliments on that little touch of color.  Twiggy agrees that it looks marvelous with her slick white coat, so she just lets her wear it. . . .  for  awhile!

The most fun comes when the rabbits and Twiggy decide to play together using the "simple PINKNESS" in a game they created over the winter. They are such a creative little group!

 

The game is called "Pass the Pink".   Actually, this game came about because of the interest our town has now grown in the sport of ice hockey.  We just recently opened an events center in Independence, Missouri,  and it is the home to our very own minor league ice hockey team called The Mavericks.

Anyway, the crew here in our house love to pretend they are skating on the ice rink. . . while passing their little pretend Pink Puck!

Here we go!  First Twiggy has the PINK circle and she passes it to . . .

 

WHITNEY!  

Whitney quickly stops the circle with her right front paw. . . . then fakes  back at Twiggy, but slyly shoots it at THE STONE RABBIT instead!

THE STONE RABBIT successfully stops the circle.  He tapped the Pink Puck back and forth between his front paws for just a bit then  sent it sailing to. . . . .

 

Twiggy!!!   What a stop. . . . I mean CATCH !

 

Unfortunately, the game ended there that day.  Twiggy wanted a little alone time with the circle of PINK! 

Sometimes she makes up her own rules.

 THE STONE RABBIT didn't care.  He knew that in a while, Twiggy would be back wanting to play   "How Fast Can  You Get the Pink Ring Off My Ear" again.

  He would be ready!

 

I hope YOU'RE ready for some Pink Saturday fun once again!  Our wonderful hostess Beverly has made certain there is a long list of folks waiting for you to visit just by going to her blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND! 

Have a wonderful Pink Saturday!

DANA