Sturbridge

We also spent the day at Sturbridge Village.   It was a beautiful day and got there right when they opened to beat the school kids on their class trips.   Just about made it thru the entire village before the kids were everywhere!   If I didnt know better I would have thought we were at a amusement park.  But I remember the silliness of being a kid on a class trip - even though it was a long time ago. 

 This little house was so cute but dang tiny house living would be interesting!  But back in the day this would have been quite nice.  Now everything has to be bigger and bigger.  Im ready to downsize but not to this extreme. 

 The little kid hole in the outhouse made us laugh.  But I guess it is practical. 

 Got to have chickens - I just smile at their antics.

 The landscape is so lush.   Unlike here there are vines growing on everything!

 I love this sink!

 Look at these wide floors.  And all the years and years of use the knots are actually raised up.

If you ever get the chance to go, do so.  I enjoyed the peaceful walk thru every building and the beauty of the landscape. 

Salem

After market in PA we ventured Northeast to check out MA.  We spent a half day in Salem since it was only 75 miles from the RV park. It was going to be a warm day so we had to head out early.  Now I am from a small town growing up - only about 295 people, no traffic lights, no police force.  Just a small grocery store, a school (graduating class of about 27), 3 churches and a bar.   Then I moved to where I am now and its still small by most peoples standards 12,000 people but huge to me!  So when I get to places like Salem Im a fish out of water.  There are people everywhere and everything is so jammed together!   But the beauty of history was jaw dropping to me.  To have such age in houses on every street was amazing to me.  Enjoyed the day so much.  We went to House of Seven Gables and then the Old Burying Point Cemetery. 

The headstones are so beautiful.  I just loved walking around and reading the stones.

And this old tree in the cemetery with this big crack still shading the stones.  It had such a large canopy I did not know how it was able to hold itself up!

I would have liked to spend more time in Salem, but it was very warm and with out knowing what or where to go we just went back to the RV. 

Long Beer Run!

So when we were out East Randy likes to pick up local small brewery beers.  Well we were in Sturbridge MA and when asked at the liquor store what good local beer we should get, they said you HAVE to go to Tree house brewery.  But get there early because of the wait!  The beer is in such demand you can not get it in stores or at bars, only at the brewery.  Now that had me thinking wait?  how long is this wait?   WELL little did I know - we pull into this field AKA extra parking lot.  Now they are open W-F 5-8pm or until gone, Sat all day.  So we pulled in a hour before opening and there was 300 people in line already!   Now this place is  few miles from any town and the surrounding towns are small, so where do all these people come from?  Well the guys ahead of us in line were from 3-4 hours away!  Crazy.  So there we were standing in the 90 degree hot sun in yet another field waiting our turn to go inside and pick up our prepacked 12 pack with the 3 beers flavors available that day.  It was so hot!   Im not a beer drinker but I waited.  I kept thinking I dont even do this for a antique show - well unless its REALLY good. 

So after the hour and a half (Randy keeps saying hour but I beg to differ) this is the result.

So at the end of the day that was the longest, hottest beer run I have done!   But according to the mister is was worth it - one of the best beers hes had.

Flowers, Cat, and Treasures

 These beautiful flowers were in a greenhouse up north, off on a dirt road!   Her quality of plants and pricing was just amazing!   These pics were taken mid July when plants left in the greenhouses usually start looking tired.  Not these - simply amazing! 

 This great cabinet was a auction find.   It is huge - about 7' tall.   Not a nail in its construction - all wooden peg, even the curved doors.  The cat decided he had to check out the cabinet as soon as I put stuff inside.  He has become very needy since our other kitty passed away in November.  They didnt like each other but now it seems he is missing picking on her.

 And here is more of what I deal with daily.... did I say he was being needy?  I can not just sew I have to have company and inside my stuffing bag!  ( Dont worry I watch him close and have holes in the bag so he doesnt get hurt)

 Oh what you NEED this piece?  Well how about some scratches first, then I will THINK about moving.

Food!

Well after the PA gift market we decided to make a trip north to MA.   I will share pics of the trip later, but I had to share this little BBQ place we found in Sturbridge MA.   Before we left we were scrolling thru Pinterest on places to see.  Some how we found the top 20 BBQ places in the US and one was right where we were!  SO we had to go - ok we had to go there twice in 4 days cause it was amazing!   Just a small place with a line no matter what time we went. 

 Above is the "1 meat platter" Randy had for the lunch trip.  That brisket was the best!

 Above is the "2 meat platter" Randy had.  

Ok I know Im a bit odd to order Mac n Cheese but I tell you what is was so good - I got a side both times we went!   And that sandwich was the MINI - I thought Id just grab a mini for lunch so I would still feel like walking around, well I had to take some back to the RV!
We even ordered meat to go so we could have it during the long drive home.   It took over 24 hours to drive home from Sturbridge.  But we enjoyed the time - spent a day in Salem, a day at the Sturbridge Village and then the amazing antique show at Walker Homestead.    I was ready to come home and see the grandbabies after being gone 9 days I was so homesick for them.   My grand daughter (19 month old) still clings to me thinking I might leave again.   They live right next door so I see her a few times a day and then for her not to see me for 9 days was hard.   We would facetime though!

New Dolls

Well I have been busy with sewing.  I created some new dolls for the June market in PA.  They are large and so much work but fun to put the personality into each one.  Here are a few pics of the new ones.

 The Uncle Sam riding a elephant above I created for the election year.  I wanted to make something that fit the theme for the summer and I think he turned out so fun!  

 And I had to come up with a new Christmas one.  This one was such a hit at market he sold out on 15 min and I am currently making orders for him.  He is large and takes a ton of stuffing!  I figure with the 32 Im making now I will use over 50 lbs of stuffing just on the reindeer!

And MY FAVORITE!!  This witch is just amazing.  Her dress is dyed cheesecloth and with her wired cape blowing behind her just makes it great!  She also sold out quickly and have more to make for orders.

So this summer I have been so busy sewing that my poor gardens have just been left.  Makes me sad to see the weeds - I try to keep up but the days just come and go before I have a chance to blink!  We are going to do a show in October in Ohio so Im filling orders and making stock for the show.   Sadly it will be winter before I know it and I will have forgotten to enjoy summer.  

Now you can find me on Etsy!

 I have so much more to say but for tonight I will just say Check me out on Etsy!   I have posted some newer dolls and will be posting new items often!
Enjoy!!
Heres the Link:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LoneOakPrimitives


I will be posting updates this week!  I hope - time sure gets away from me.