Reflecting on Quiet Times

As the grip of midwestern winter just seems to hang on this year--I am using this late winter time for some quiet reflection on a few matters, concerning antiques and otherwise.

This sweet little bisque fellow is a 1929 Royal Copenhagen statue that belonged to my great grandmother.  My mother had it on her coffee table for many years, and this Christmas gave it to me.  Something about the simplicity of it-- the little fellow is kneeling and earnestly thinking about something.

This pensive beauty is a recent auction addition.  We had expected to sell her, but I think she will live with us for awhile.  An American oil, 1930s by the hairstyle.  She has a wistful look that was captured well by the artist  and has a calming quiet reflection to her gaze.

The antique business has a particular frenzy for us these past two months.  Thank heavens.  Frenzy means buying opportunities and most importantly sales.  Not sure what is up--but we are happy for it.  It means running around to sales, auctions and shows and keeping the stock put together.  It has also prompted some late winter reflections---both on the business and life.

Not many fresh conclusions--just some organizing focus on the importance of health, maintaining contact with good friends and family, spending time in service to others, working at a livelihood you love, paying attention to your spiritual life, and trying to learn something new everyday.  Clarity can come in quiet times.  You just have to listen for it.

I am the Last to the Party

I am frequently slow on the uptake.

Friends know I don't own a book reader or a smart phone.  They know Dear Husbola and I don't own a DVR, don't know how to stream a movie and could not name a current television program. We don't eat sushi unless it is the "cooked" kind.  I don't devulge this in some sort of holier than thou fashion. We just can't find any reason to add these things in our life.

We are current on business matters. In the antique business, we made an inventory change a handful of years ago.  We find our customers want useful and decorative.  We made the change and it is paying off in spades.  A show last weekend was no exception.  We sold like gangbusters and our pack out took 20 minutes. Not much to pack up.  But I continue.

One party I am no longer late to is the Aldi grocery store bandwagon.  Boy, have I been sleeping on the switch.

A recent long browse of the aisles gleaned the following that made their way into my cart:

dark roast free trade coffee, organic raised beef, milk under two bucks a gallon, mixed heirloom tomatoes, sleeves of favorite brown tomatoes (you gotta try these, juicy in winter)  made in france brioche,  balsamic vineagar,  italian olive oil, bunch of tulips, lean fabulous beef brisket, mini potatoes, cutie mandarins, italian dry pasta, french dijon mustard and the list goes on.  The place has great staples and some of the specialty items I look for elsewhere.  Price????  Consistently less than half of another store I know.

On the plus side, the stores are small and very easy to navigate.  On the negative--that quarter to get a cart thing and pack your own stuff is onerous.  The trade off is worth it.

Keep your streaming movies.  I'll take more of that four buck free trade coffee, thank you.

It's a Dog's Life

This is the time of year when many people enjoy watching the professional dog show competitions on television.  While I love dogs and had a special one all my growing up years--I am not a fan of seeing dogs put through what they go through to compete.  I know the dogs are very well treated--but--they should be enjoying themselves-- yes, having a dog's life.

These incredible pieces are English victorian dog paintings on paper mache plates.  Over the years we have bought scores of dog paintings, mostly in England,  and these are some of the most detailed and best we have seen.  They are unsigned.  These paper mache blanks were sold in all sorts of sizes, and Sunday Afternoon Painters would paint them up.  These are not your usual untrained hand and eye.  These are fabulous detailed paintings in excellent condition.

Just look at those faces.  Not a show winner in the bunch.  But certainly heartwarming and beloved family pets.  And not a grooming comb or a can of hairspray near the bunch.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

We had a fabulous late January selling period at Odana Antiques in Madison.  So much so, Dear Husbola and I had to make an unscheduled trip to restock.  The walls were bare, the floor was a jumble and this is a Very Good Thing.

February in the midwest is, well, February in the midwest.   So charming as a child, Not So Much as an adult.  At a recent lunch with A Collection of Interesting Women, we agreed cabin fever had a firm grip on us all.

Jumping in the car with a new load for the shop and a crisp sunshine filled day was just the ticket for the dead of winter.  Sometimes it is just wonderful to submerge yourself in the fluffy, superficial, escape world of selling  things that people don't need--things that just make them feel good.

And to be surrounded with nice people--who are genuinely glad to see us.  A few we have known since the 1980s.  Like Dear Brian.  I have learned so much from him over the years--in terms of display, the pulse of current buyers, and the general skuttle butt of the antiques scene.  He never fails to great me with a huge hug and take time to shoot the breeze.  Good man, good friend.  The store owners and staff were almost too busy to chat as the shop was filled with shoppers.  Thank heavens for cabin fever.

We hung this painting--an oil of a an old cafe--might be in Europe, might be in New Orleans.  The only thing missing was these.....

We did stop at a great little bakery nearby and brought home a couple of sweet little somethings and a bagette for supper.  Interesting people, putzing with antiques and a french carb.   A good day.

Vintage Valentines

Are you old enough to remember really great Valentine celebrations in your grade school?

At our house in the 1960s, Valentine's day was a Really Big Deal.

These valentines are much older, easily early 20th century.  They have remained collectible and--and it is essential to purchase them in excellent condition.

I remember the excitement of signing up for "bringing the treats" for Valentine's Day to my grade school classes.  This usually meant cupcakes decorated with sprinkles and my mother and me trekking to school on foot with the giant box because my dad would be using the car for work.  In school we would have decorated a large envelopes to hang on our desks or a kleenex box decorated for the top of the desk to receive classmate's valentines.  Mine were usually homemade with doilies and "colored construction paper".  Good memories.

Judging by the number of valentines I still see for sale--valentine's day is still a big day for many.  I love sending cards--but this year I could not find a single one that said "woo me beloved."

Perfect Ice Cream Weather

We recently sold a fabulous, never used condition ice cream freezer.

 Complete with original label.

 All the necessary moving parts.  And the instruction book with plenty of recipes.

Not the easy peasy kind you buy today--where you plug it in and walk away and come back when it beeps.     But the hand crank kind that made you earn your prize of delicious homemade ice cream.  Home made ice cream was a ritual of summer at my Grandma's summer cottage-- specially prepared, slow cooked custard usually with sliced fresh peaches turned into softish, peachie hued lovliness.  Never in a cone, always in a dish.

To this young girl, with the magic that only adults possessed, ice and rock salt were combined and the churning began.  You take a turn, then mom and dad and all the other adults cranked away.  That magic wooden paddle got harder and harder to turn--and FINALLY  the Person Who Makes Decisions decided it was time to stop.  If I close my eyes I can even see the picnic table it was served on.

That big bowl spoiled my dinner every time--and that was the one time that no one seemed to care.

Cabin Fever Big Time

It must be because we got four inches of snow last night.  Unfortunately, cabin fever has hit this house full on.  Time for spring antiquing and it is not even close to spring.

We are already in the mood for the weekend of antique shows in early March that puts Arthur, Arcola and Tuscola  Illinois on the map for non stop antiquing.  We have written before about this Amish country in central Illinois.  The lines for the shows are long and we always come away with some interesting finds.  And let's not forget the BBQ ribs and the trip to the Amish grocery store in the middle of a farmer's field.  Remember--antiques and food go hand in hand.

My mother always used to say "Never wish your life away" when I was a over eager child looking forward to an upcoming event.  I hear ya Mom--- but the calendar is moving slow this January.

Google A Gathering on the Prairie and you will find the biggest of the shows.  The numerous shows have staggered starting times.  Well worth your time.