A Visit to Liberty

Last Saturday morning was glorious in our part of Missouri.  The sun was shining, it was warm, and the sky was blue. Because of this fantastic set of weather conditions, Bonnie and I decided to take a trip to Liberty ( just a few minutes from Independence) and check out their Farmers Market. Jill, of Bittersweet Boutique, had recently posted (on 5-16-08) about "Spring on the Square"---also happening last Saturday. So, yee-haw, two possible fun events rolled into one spot!

As we approached the Farmers Market, wouldn't you know the very first plant I saw was this gorgeous geranium!  It was mocking me.  It just sensed how badly I wanted to grab it by its pot and take it home....and it knew I couldn't because of my track record of killing geraniums.   OOOOOOH, I wanted it so much.  Tears were filling my eyes.  I was pulling out my wallet.

Bonnie elbowed me and said "SNAP OUT OF IT"! ..... We moved on.

Here we checked out some rose bushes and beautiful hanging plants---- packed with assorted flowers.  There were geraniums hiding within the sea of florals.  I saw them!!!  I closed my eyes, turned around and went on.

Look at those beautiful petunias!  I don't fair too well with them, either.  My mom's petunias just bloomed their little heads off all summer.  Mine died.  No matter how much I "pinched 'em back"---they just got leggier and spindlier and finally (and mercifully) croaked.

Now this is a booth that just called out to me.....and I came a runnin'.  This family bakes and sells the most delicious breads and pies.  THE BREAD OF LIFE is from Stewartsville, MO.  What draws me to them is their use of natural and organic ingredients in their products.  I sprung for 4 loaves of bread, a tri-berry pie and a big ol' cinnamon roll. ( Bonnie and I were in need of a snack after working so hard "strolling" through the Farmers Market.)

 

  I loved this booth.  Check out the list of offerings.  Not too bad---everything from water to turkey legs to trash bags.  In this day and age you've got to diversify!

When we reached the crafts booths ( part of the Spring on the Square celebration) we saw this couple.  They are Chuck and Linda Collier of Council Bluffs, IA.  They own HAMMERMAN CREATIONS ( [email protected]).  Oh, are they ever a talented pair!!!

Chuck designs and creates his yard art and Linda adds the finishing touches.

They use "reclaimed" items---from enamel pans to wagon wheels, high chairs, metal bread boxes, bicycle parts---to incorporate into their phenomenal designs.

My photos will not do justice to their creative work, but they said it  was OK to share some of their items with you.  This is a bird bath----he adds hand made birdhouses to many of his items.  Check out the "Pool Rules" and "No Cats" signs.  Love the enamel pan perched on top of the old post base.  I couldn't leave without this----and I didn't.

An old highchair is now a bird feeder!  Isn't this too cute?
 

Don't you just love this red chair---turned into a birdbath?  Bonnie nabbed this!

 

 This amazing creation combined parts of an old iron be, a rusty tricycle, an old metal breadbox and assorted metal wheels. 

What a small world it is!  Just as we were drooling over these charming designs I saw a former high school classmate checking out some of their wares, too!  (Judy on the left, Linda, and me on the right.)  Judy was showing off her yummy finds of fresh strawberries and rhubarb! What a great surprise to see her there!!!

Continuing around the square, we saw a booth selling hot dogs and lemonade----very popular, cuz it was nearly noon.

The thought of eating a hot dog was quickly discarded when we spied this spot.  It was wonderful----we had to pried out of our chairs when we finished.

After lunch, we continued our stroll around the square---this is a shot of the courthouse.

On the stage was "Mr. Stinky Feet", Jim Cosgrove.  He's a local entertainer who creates songs for children.  He appeared to be a big hit.

Liberty's police department was on hand---the officers in shorts were on bicycles. :-)

As we were about to leave the square, I spotted Barb in her booth (barbthesoaplady@msn.com).  We have been fellow vendors at a variety of sales.  She makes her own line of bath and body products.  She also makes those sweet, fluffy flip-flops.

We returned to Linda and Chuck's booth and picked up our buys.  Chuck loaded up our treasures and we headed to the car.

Just as Chuck was ready to load up our buys THE STONE RABBIT hopped out of the car and right into his hands!  He was pretty surprised to see a concrete bunny show such enthusiasm over his creations, but he was tickled pink!!

Before we headed home, Bonnie and I decided to stop by Jill's for her Bittersweet Saturday Boutique. We wanted to shop and Bonnie needed to get a drink of water.  Jill sent Bonnie up to the kitchen for water while she stayed outside with me.  She hadn't met THE STONE RABBIT in person!  She was impressed with his conversational style!

Bonnie had been gone for quite some time, so I went inside to check on her---and I was SHOCKED when I caught her PILFERING! 

 She loves cats, so she decided to get Jill's wooden kitty right off her computer hutch.  THEN she went after the food!  (By that time of day she was gettin  hungry again.)  The coffee pot just caught her eye. 

While I was convincing Bonnie to "put the stuff back!", Jill was showing THE STONE RABBIT her beautiful new brick steps and recently planted nasturtiums.  She never knew what happened in the kitchen.....whew!      Dana

Comments

[jill]

Dana,

Ah, now I know what Bonnie was doing in my kitchen for soooo long!
Bonnie, I never would have guessed!

The Stone Rabbit sure was talkative that Saturday!
He just kept talking, and talking. I thought I was a talker!Whew, I have nothing on him...

Great little story about my little town, thank you, and have a wonderful weekend my friend.

Love,
Jill xoo

[Beverly]

What a fun day. I love your purchase of the unique birdbath. I think I might have had to purchase that tricycle creation myself.

I'm sending my sympathy that you have to go through life "geranium-less". How sad! What could it be?

Thanks for visiting my blog. Please come by again soon.

[clarice]

Very fun day, but if I was going to pilfer, I would head to Jill’s shop !!! thanks for sharing. Clarice

[Bonnie]

Wellll....that Dana! Ratted on me! Really, Jill, I promise to do better. Clarice might just of had the right idea!!! JUST KIDDING!!! We had a super fun day.

[Brenda]

Hi Dana,
What a fun day you had.Love the birdbath you bought and the birdfeeder bonnie bought what cute ideas.
I will be stopping by Jill blog soon.
Best Wishes
Brenda:)

[Wonders Never Cease]

Dana, what fun! What a great day! I love those birdbaths!
Becky

[Wonders Never Cease]

Dana, what fun! What a great day! I love those birdbaths!
Becky

[Joy]

Hi Dana, yes I live in O'Fallon Missouri. Where
do all live? Great post!