all decked out for Christmas, i’m loving the “blue” hutch!  i ran out of time so i even have an empty shelf!  can you imagine?

a SweetTalk tag hiding in the forest of bottlebrush trees…

cookie-cat wanted in on the action…

see the Christmas bell?  love.

there it is.  i’ve got lots of JUNK waiting its turn!

this year isn’t quite behind me and already 2012 is calling my name!  i’m pretty sure it’s not possible for next year to be as busy as this year…unless of course, i just jinxed myself…it will be full, cuz that’s the way i roll, but hopefully not overflowing!

my contract for the Dolly Johnson Antique & Art Show has been mailed!  i’ve not set-up at this show before and i’m really looking forward to it! 

i’ll have to take my A-game because Ann will be my neighbor and
her taste is impeccable!  maybe i’ll do a little spit & polish on my JUNK…nah!

of course, i’ll be returning to Marburger in the Spring!  it’s
“March” on my calendar for set-up, but the actual show dates are
April 3 – 7.

heck, if i can do both, so can you!  if your schedule is anything like mine then i know it fills up fast!  get those calendars marked cuz i’d love to see you in Ft. Worth and Round Top!

can you say *hot* and *dust bowl*?  good golly!  you would have to be a die-hard JUNKer or crazy or perhaps a die-hard crazy JUNKer…let’s not go there…to have experienced Round Top this Fall!

but there i was…schlepping JUNK!  i don’t think it would be worth it if not for all my JUNKin’ friends!  if i ever missed Round Top i’d miss them and that would just be wrong!

so…have a/c will travel…

wish i had a dime for everytime someone walked through the door and caught me with my dress ballooned over the vent…like i cared!  or the moment…with a room full of shoppers…i decided to shimmy out of my full slip!  what was i thinking?

all of this to say: it was one tough week!  even i couldn’t think of a single thing i wanted bad enough to walk the hot dry fields!  so i resorted to drive-shopping…a pathetic admission that put my JUNKer status in question…

at the end of my last day of set-up…in a perfect storm…i threw my backpack on the passenger seat of my car and simultaneously slammed the door.  my backpack landed just right and i locked my keys and phone and life in Big Al! 

the sweet girls in the office put the news out on the radio.  no one responded.  which meant no one knew how to get in my newfangled car.  that’s a bad feeling.  why-oh-why wasn’t i in Mighty?

the perfect storm continued with “Johnny Paul Jason” sitting in the office saying things like: you’ll never get in that car and it’s gonna take hours to get someone out here and it’s gonna be expensive and well, you get the idea….

i gritted my teeth and smiled.  as sweat dripped off my face and down my back and pooled behind my knees.  in nervous frustration i pushed my hair back and noticed a layer of dirt perched on top of my ear.  really?  really. 

and then Sheriff Ron showed up and said: i can get you in your car.  my hero!  and he did.  and i was thrilled!  until i realized it took him only like 5 whole minutes to break in my car.  argh.  it stressed me out.  so i ate mex and then i felt better!  and the perfect storm blew over….

the week kicked off with opening day on tuesday!  it’s always a rush and a thrill as the JUNK gets wrapped up and carried away to new homes!

that night Stephanie and i headed out to dinner in search of “something green” that wasn’t iceberg lettuce!  you laugh, that’s no small task in the land everything-is-fried!  we settled for a salad…of iceberg lettuce!

wednesday night i set out for the Big Red Barn and a long visit with my friend Kent and then off to see my supertalented friend Tricia!  after the show we scooted over to Joe’s in Fayetteville for dinner with her “team” (David) and her bald guy!

thursday night i actually made it to prom!  not that i care anything about prom but i take people-watching very seriously!  hands down there’s no better place to people-watch!

and i got to hang out with my favorite trash-talker Debbie!  and i shopped with my friends Stephanie and Kristi and stopped in to see Sarah and her fab jewelry!  a trip to Zapp is never complete without a hug from sweet Theresa!  and i got to see my favorite red.neck gurl Robelyn and she red.necked us!

stephanie ~ me ~ kristi

friday night i had an early dinner with some of my shoppin’ friends!  and someplace along the week i got to see Shelley and Theresa and Lauri!  and Amy and her mom Terri! (and, yes, they actually did find Tent W!)  and my mom, brother and sis-in-law!  and my gracious customers who come show after show and buy my JUNK.  so many i now call “friend”!  and my precious neighbor Gail and her hubby Roy who keep me sane during the slow times!  be still my heart!

it wouldn’t be Round Top without “elements” ~ scrapes & bruises ~ a perfect storm or two…and yet i wouldn’t miss it.  not for anything!  i’ve been going to Round Top for more than 20 years and setting up for the better part of 11 years.  it’s in me.  it’s part of who i am.  it runs through my veins… 

little did i know, when i hung this on my door day two of set-up, it would perfectly sum up the week!

another day.  another Fall.  another Round Top.  i survived!  and i’m darn proud of it!

in my last post did i really say “in a few days”?  i did!  a few days…a few weeks…who’s counting!

i actually have been working on this post…it’s too long, i know, but it has lots of great pictures!  just hang with it, hopefully when it’s over you’ll be glad you did!

a little more than a year ago, the husband started asking me what i wanted to “do” for my (then) upcoming 50th birthday.  “do” at our house = travel!

i could think of 10,000 places i wanted to see, but i couldn’t wrap my heart around the one thing i wanted to “do” in honor of my big day!  every few weeks he would ask.  i had no answer.  highly unusual!

until the day it came zipping into my thoughts and i wondered if it could possibly happen.  it was a pretty big dream. 

the next time the husband asked, i was ready!  i said: i want to go to Althorp, the childhood home of Princess Diana!

i would give anything for a snap of his face!  like: is it possible she just picked the very last place on earth i care anything about seeing? 

he squirmed.  i watched as his mind worked and he began to grasp that i was serious.  he had to find a way to get-on-board, it was to celebrate my birthday after all!

i sat silently.  and then i rescued him when i said: and i want to go with the “Jones” girls! (meaning, my two nieces, sister and sister-in-law).

in a split second he realized he did not have to go and he said:  awesome!  i think that’s a great idea!

while the husband was in the relieved-he-didn’t-have-to-go-to-Althorp mode, i went ahead and landed the second half of the “dream” on him…after London i wanted to meet him in Vienna and, while we were in the area, I wanted to go to Prague! 

by the grace of God and the hard work of the husband, all my dreams came true!  and my sis and her hubby even joined us on the second leg!

is it possible to tell you how much fun we all had?  probably not, but over time i’m gonna give it my best shot!

starting with Althorp…

in 1981 i was living in houston.  i had quit college.  i was living with my brother.  sleeping on his sofa bed.  looking for a job, any job.  attempting to get my life together!

i remember clearly the early morning of 29 July 1981 when i woke up in time to see all the coverage of THE wedding of Diana to what’s-his-name!  laying on my belly, i plopped my chin in my hands and swung my feet in the air, giddy that fairy tales really do come true!  i knew it!

it was easy to get lost in the royal hoopla!   after all, Diana and i are the same age.  and while i thought what’s-his-name was a royal dud, it was her fairy tale and i was simply in attendance!

i followed Diana closely over the years, reluctant to give up on her fairy tale and when i finally did i clung to the incurable romantic inside of me.

in so many ways i thought her life was privileged, tragic and sad.  and yet a part of me couldn’t get enough.  i was glued to every moment of her funeral and when Althorp opened to the public i dreamed of seeing it.

when the day came it was hard to believe we were up early on Monday, July 4th…

to catch a train to Northampton…

and then a short cab ride through the English countryside arriving at the childhood home of Princess Diana. 

the cabbie dropped us at the fabulous gates to Althorp and the imagining-Diana-exactly-in-this-spot began!

we first stopped at the Stables.  so, i’m thinking a quaint wooden “stable” on the back of the property.  i mean, i’m from texas…what-the-heck do i know about English stables!  apparently nothing!

Althorp Stables

i could easily live in the Althorp Stables!  a big square “building” with a courtyard inside that once housed 150 horses!  this is where the exhibits about Diana find their home.  i won’t go into the details of those now, but i will say the exhibits are quite beautiful.  giving the visitor a glimpse into Diana from childhood to death. 

the courtyard in the Stables is now filled with bistro tables where visitiors can sit and enjoy a snack from the cafe and rest a bit.  also in one corner of the Stables is a shop!

a ”shop” matters for two reasons: one, it’s my favorite form of exercise and two, Charles Spencer happened to be there that day signing his newest book!  the dream just got turned up a notch!

Charles is Diana’s little brother by two years.  do you remember his “speech” at her funeral?  it would be hard to forget.  the pain of a brother who could not protect his sister.  the pain of a family spoken from his lips.

and we were about to see him.  to meet him.  really!

but first we toured Althorp!  i don’t know…do you call it a house, a mansion, an estate?  call it what you want and whatever it is you decide on just add the words “BIG” and “MAGNIFICANT” in front of it and you’ll be off to a good start!

surprisingly we were able to tour quite a bit of it.  and it was fascinating to think of it as the actual working home of Charles Spencer.  seeing the tell-tale signs of everyday life.  the Spencer’s have quite an amazing collection of paintings, books and antiques…a far cry from the JUNK i haul around!

after we exited the house we walked through the fabulous gardens to the “round oval lake” where Diana is buried…

on a tiny, overgrown island in the middle of the lake marked simply by a white stone monument.  i don’t know who made the decision to bury her here, but it is the perfect place for her.  peaceful, beautiful and safe…

our pic at the round oval lake…

Mo, Marcie, Meg, Mae-dee and me

we followed the path around the lake and back through the gardens.  it was time to head for the shop to purchase our books and get in line for the Charles Spencer book signing!

he is quite a nice man, asking me my name and where i was from while signing my book.  my sister and niece Marcie were in line behind me.  little did i know that my sister told Charles Spencer that we were here for my birthday and asked him if he would mind taking his picture with me!  he replied that he would be happy to take a picture!  eeeeeeeee!

we went back into the courtyard to wait….and wait we did!  it wasn’t long, but it felt like forever!  i handed my camera to my niece, Meg.  she was in charge!  apparently she got a little bored and when i looked back i found these two pics immediately prior to THE pic…omg!  totally cracked me up!

promptly when the book signing was over, Charles Spencer popped out of the shop and cameras went on overdrive!

me and Charles Spencer

Marcie, Charles Spencer and Mo

Charles Spencer and Meg

it was thrilling!  the icing on the cake!  as close to Diana as we could ever imagined we would come.

at the end of the day we sat on the outside of the stables overlooking the house.  taking it all in.  knowing it was a once-in-a-lifetime event and that we would probably never be back in this place again…Charles Spencer came through a door behind us and walked home after a day’s work…

Althorp was so very worthy of my dream of visiting.  we had an absolute blast in London!  five silly girls seeing the town and as the week wore on and we periodically talked about our favorite moments, we always threw Althorp out of the mix…it could not be topped!

in case you think i’ve been sitting on my hands, i haven’t!  promise.

i thought i’d give you the “reader’s digest” version of the last 7 months of my life!  much has been going on and it’s ALL been amazing!  i knew this year would be action packed and as hard as i tried to prepare, well, basically i buckled up for the ride!

it started in January when i set-up at the Red Barn in Round Top!  it was a fun weekend mostly cuz i got to spend it with my friend Tricia!

in February i hit the road twice hunting down the best JUNK!

March came and first up i moved into the Antique Marketplace!  loving every second of covering the walls in PINK burlap!  i mean, PINK goes with everything!

next up was Marburger!  it was an action packed week selling JUNK, seeing friends and celebrating my 50th with a birthday bash!

in April i headed to Tyler to help the HEAP girls!  always tons of fun hangin’ with those supercute girls!

the very next weekend i was off to watch my niece, Meg, walk across the stage for her high school graduation!  one proud aunt!

a few weeks after that Meg and i headed to San Franciso!  her graduation gift from me and UB (Uncle Bruce)!  omg!  it was so fun!  two silly girls on the town!

golden gate bridge

the first part of June SweetTalk was published in the Fall/Winter 2011 issue of Houston Brides (page 44)!  so honored!  and a custom invitation “happy-mail” page was added to the SweetTalk website!  have you checked it out?

when i returned it was time to get serious and get ready for my first ever Market in Dallas!  my super sis came and helped!  it was an *experience*!  neither good nor bad!  lots of learning, new and old friends and sellin’ some SweetTalk!

four days after that i left the country!  a “Jones” girl trip to London and then Vienna and Prague with the husband, sister and brother-in-law!  it was truly a dream come true!

high tea at Browns Hotel in London

dinner our first night in Vienna

spectacular Prague Castle, oh, and us!

i’d like to think i can glide through the rest of the summer, but
no can do…Marburger is right around the corner and i’ve got to
get-my-JUNK-together!

there’s much to tell you and i plan to start…in a few days…with
one of my very favorite stories!  although, it’s not easy to pick a fav because there are TONS!

i feel like a visitor to my own blog!  life has been a blur since Marburger…it could be because i’m FIFTY…nah…or it could be because in one month i put 2999 miles on my car Big Al!

i am ONE with the road!  to West Texas…to East Texas…and back to West Texas!  home in between trips only long enough to unpack, do laundry and pack for the next excursion!

first up, I headed to West Texas.  a few weeks before my niece, Meg, graduated from high school the mother, sister and i threw her a roller skating party!  she decided it would be an 80’s theme…that was, after all, oh so long ago!  it was one FUN time!

a candy bar worthy of grazing…

an (inside-out) tote for everyone to sign…

the honoree in her 80’s outfit and her not-the-size-it’s-
suppose-to-be mortarboard…

next up was HEAP…which was a huge success!  always lots of laughs when i hang out with the HEAP girls!  for pics of HEAP, check out this post…here’s a pic of the supercute HEAP girls with a JUNK background…

Terri ~ Stephanie ~ Jana ~ Mo

after that i headed back to West Texas for an action packed weekend including the moving of the tassel!  did i mention?  i am one proud aunt!  Meg is beautiful inside and out!  it has been a true joy to watch her grow into a lovely young woman full of grace and smart as a whip!  i can’t wait to see what God has in store for her!

here we are the night before graduation…Meg, me, the bald guy and our nephew…

as the tassel goes from one side to the other it’s official!

i love that GIRL to the moon and back x a gazillion + forever!

i have a list as long as my arm of posts swimming around in my head, but there’s always that nagging problem of TIME!  i haven’t forgotten that i owe you part 2 of my brother and sister-in-law’s house and…hold on…when i was at my sister’s for HEAP i took pics of her house!  ooh la la!  

i was actually seriously considering heading to Houston this weekend to Urban Market, but Big Al is refusing to take another road trip!  dangit, i’m itching to check out that show!

well, that’s the Reader’s Digest version of the last month of my life!  i’d like to promise that i’ll stop by my blog more often for a visit, but i fear it’s a promise i won’t be able to keep!  timetimeTIME…

i’ve shown lots of snaps of the JUNK me and the sister haul around, but this time i thought i’d show you some of the JUNK that is in my brother’s store.

first, a little bit about his *style*!  if it’s big…heavy…requires wheels to move…a trailer to haul…he loves it!  if it can hang from the rafters…it does!  if it lights up…all the better! 

on the other hand, my sister-in-law is fabulous with fabric!  you will see upholstered pieces in these pics and she’s the creative brain behind them!  she loves retro…bright colors…and if you throw in a bit of funky she’s one happy girl!

enjoy…

if only i had a place in my house for a scoreboard!  if only.

how cute is this chair?

great medical doors!

everyone needs a turnstile!  whaaat?  you think you don’t need one?  i’ll show you a supercute one…in a house…soon!

remember this.  i’ll be showing you another one in an upcoming post…

bullfighter vignette!  takes me back to a bullfight i saw in spain a few years ago!  have you ever seen a bullfighter live and in person?  holy moly.  do not get me started.  (is it hot in here?)

i heart cubbies…

the only thing not for sale…my brother’s *bell* collection!

don’t these pictures make you want to GO?  do it.  now.  and don’t forget to look up!

~ 2032 W. Cuthbert ~ Midland, Tx ~

wanna see their house?  stay tuned…i’ve got the pics!  uh-huh!

Marburger Farm Antique Show…you do not want to miss it!

you’ll find me….and all my JUNK…plus a little SweetTalk in the Farm House…

and don’t forget to be seen at Theresa’s blog party!  jump over to her blog for the skinny!

be there ~ be square

thankfully!  when it comes to JUNK, i definitely excel in the *more* department!

here are a few more pics of some of the JUNK headed for Marburger!  the last sneak peek, most everything is now packed and ready for loading day!

i’m always on the lookout for these little pin cushion chairs!  they are so cute and i don’t often find them in my colors, but i scored with this one!

i’m a huge fan of these measuring tapes with the cloth tape…it’s a number thAng!  i can’t wait to unroll this one and fill a fish tank or battery jar or bowl!  oh the possibilities!

i called my dad “pop” so i love anything with that word!   someone’s note on the bottom of a little white cup, very sweet!

a supercute abacus!

forever on the prowl for doll furniture…oh my love of stuff that’s
not-the-size-it’s-suppose-to-be!

the headboard of a baby crib…adorable!  and that “cane” is metal!  can’t wait to hang this on the wall!

i heart this!  one of my fav finds!  do you know what it is?

here’s another shot…

maybe i’ll tell you…maybe i won’t…maybe you’ll just have to come to Marburger and see it for yourself!  it’d be worth the trip!  it’s FAB!

gosh, i sure i hope i see you in Round Top – March 29 ~ April 2!  that would be awesome!

been pricing and pricing and pricing and i still have more pricing to do!  but i thought i’d take a break and give you a peek at a bit of the JUNK headed for Marburger!

a few good men…

multiple love!  i ’bout pee’d in my pants when i found all these adorable child play coffee pots…

you know i can’t pass up baby shoes…

i’m always on the hunt for letters and numbers and i scored
a few…

this cute little chick feeder i can totally see lined with butterpats…be still my heart!

i’m a sucker for *unlovable* ironstone…

one of my very favorite finds….an old water fountain…i probably got a cold drink or two from one of these in grade school…

okey-doke…that’s it!  for now!

Marburger Farm Antique Show 
Round Top, Tx
March 29 ~ April 2

It would make me so-so happy to see YOU there!