GIFTS FROM THE HEARTLAND

Hello TLB friends,

I'm a New York girl and my heart will always hold a special fondness for the state I was born and grew up in. So when I got married and we started relocating around the US for my husband's jobs, I had some weather acclimating to do. As a northern girl my favorite season was Fall. For me, there is nothing like those crisp Fall days. Taking a trip to the apple orchards and coming home with fresh apples, cider, gourds and pumpkins....is such a fond memory expecially now because our current state we call home is Texas where it seems much to warm to be Fall.

But.....yesterday hubby and I recevied a box from our youngest daughter who lives in Chicago. She made her annual trip to the apple orchards in Indiana and sent us a box full of "LOVE from the Heartland," apples, cider donuts, and homemade raisin bread! All reminders from my NY childhood.

We sampled one donut yesterday and had delicious raisin bread this morning for breakfast. Of course the Honey Crisp apples, which are hubby's favorites, are going to make a delighful afternoon snack today!

Do you have days where you long for foods from your childhood? Please share with us!

                            Wishing you a wonderful day filled with fond  FALL memories!

                            Kathleen

                                                                   

MORNING AT CHICAGO'S-RANDOLPH MARKET FAIR

Summers in our house are for family and fun! We like to visit each of our daughters for a little "catch-up" time, giving us a little taste of their world. Usually the trips end up with some local sight seeing or attending local events, and dining at some pretty interesting places.

Our youngest lives in Chicago. There is never a lack of what to do while when visiting her. She found a great festival this year called the Randolph Market Festival. It's a large parking lot and building full of Antiques, Vintage wares, jewelry and Decorator finds.

There are several other markets on the calender for the remainder of the year including a Holiday Market in December too. You may find more info at:

http://www.randolphstreetmarket.com/schedule.php

We had a great time browsing the booths of beautiful treasures!

First photo left--Treasures and Trash from Mendota, IL
 I LOVED the farm table, but it wouldn't fit in my suitcase!

Photo #3 Chicago Salvage Works-chicagosalvageworks.com
My daughter loved this bar made from salvaged wood and steel. The cute guy in the back doesn't go with it though! :)

When I was young we had a sofa with this type of nylon fabric in red. It wasn't sectional but it was nearly the same fabric!

We browsed the market with Dinky Donuts (the tiniest little light donuts ever!!) and a cup of coffee.

Who remembers this era!! I believe we had those cups when we were growing up!

I thought this was so Kris from Junk Chic Cottage! Kris you would have LOVED this!!

In my mind I was trying to find a way to take this back to NJ with me on the plane!!

My daughter and I LOVE these frames. They can be found on ETSY! (Sorry I lost her card..darn!)

I love these fashions! So very classic and chic! My aunt taught me how to sew right around this year. 

What a cute little glamper! LOVE the colors! 

Hubby and youngest daughter--

We stopped for lunch at the famous and fun Ed Debevic's! Burgers and fries, dancing on the bar countertop, sarcasm and always lots of laughs! Another great family memory created!

Hope you enjoyed our trip to the Randolph Market Festival. There's so much more than I photographed it's a must see. Although we didn't buy anything, it certainly was a delightful morning in Chicago with the best part being with our daughter!!

Have a wonderful weekend! Why not check the local calendars in your area for fun Market Fairs to attend. It's a great time of year to be outside and enjoy these lovely days!


Kathleen

***Thanks for stopping by everyone and especially to my new friends from Chicago Catherine and Stephenie!! See you on Monday!

Chicago Fun!

I just returned from a few days off, but had quite an enjoyable time in Chicago with our daughter. What a wonderful City with so much to do. Each day was a different experience. I decided to share a few with you.

My first stop was a Yvonne Estelle's, 11 S. Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068.

   I was looking for a line of linen kitchen towels made in France I had discovered on my trip to Raleigh. The line is called--Le Jacquard Francais. These towels make a wonderful gift for a housewarming party, hostess gift  OR even better, one for yourself. They are simply the most gorgeous towels I have ever seen!

 

 

 

I chatted with the shop owner who shared all of the beautiful lines she carried with me. In the end I left with this Fall colored Beauvulle (printed by hand) tablecloth.  I can't wait to use it at our Fall cocktail party!!

 





Wednesday was a "special Mom day." My daughter treated me to a

wonderfully relaxing facial with

Kathy at the Waldorf Astoria. It was delightful. I felt so pampered....

what a lucky Mom I am!

 

 Call me silly..........but while I was waiting for my Esthetician, in the

comfortable waiting area, the refreshments were delightful. Green Tea Infused Water, Vanilla Bean Infused water (which I learned is merely a fresh vanilla bean pod in water), and the display on the left containing spoons filled with flavored almonds,

dried mango, bacon, etc.

How very cool!

 
  My daughter was in search of new fabric to recover a chair, so Friday we ventured to a  fantastic Fabric Warehouse called the Textile Discount Outlet, on the South side. It was a huge building full of rows and rows of fabrics, trims and everything in between. The prices were a fraction of what we would pay at a fabric chain store. It was quite an experience!

 

Well I am back to reality........leaving some of my City experiences behind...

but not forgotten!

 

I am working on a great DIY project that I hope to complete for Wednesday's blog.

Don't forget to check it out on Wednesday!