Patina General

Dreaming of Gardens, and a Living History

It's the time of year when winter is getting a little long.  The snow is looking a little dirty white, rather than fresh white, and the cold weather and winter clothes are less than exciting.  I just need to gaze at some green and look forward to warmer days, birds singing, and the fresh smell of dirt, flowers, and grass.  I saved my photos of our east coast trip, for such a time as this!  Maybe you are thinking about summer vacations...this may give you an idea!

Of course, I loved all the history that we encountered out east, but I fell in love with the gardens and all the architecture that went with them.  Washington D.C. was in full bloom when we were there in August, but the gardens at President Washington's Mount Vernon had me green with envy.  We were told that Washington would often give his out-of-town guests a tour of his gardens.  He was first and foremost a farmer.

I can enjoy a wildflower garden, but I love English inspired, potager-style gardens that incorporate brick pathways, fragrant herbs all in a line and espaliered fruit trees!  Makes you just want to spread out a blanket and have some tea!  When vegetables are grown in a beautiful tapestry, and there's a backdrop of picket fencing, I just swoon!  

After we enjoyed the beautiful acreage of Mount Vernon, we continued the feast of history, architecture and gardens at Williamsburg, in Virginia.  I had previously been here in high school and college, and knew it was one of my favorite places.  I was excited to share it with my family.

 

The tunnel-like entrance to this living history museum, got us excited for the day.  Virginia is thick with trees and underbrush, which helped transport us back in time.  

Our day began with the colonists storming the Governor's palace, and a drum and fife corps, and continued on with the costumed actors portraying their roles in U.S. history.  We heard from slaves, Thomas Jefferson, and even Jefferson's wife.  We enjoyed the exterior architecture of the real-life town, and experienced taverns, mercantiles, blacksmith shops, and dress and hat shops.  I wished we had more than one day to experience it all!

Back in that time, it was very fashionable to create English-type gardens, hedges and picket fences around your home or business.  I think I once heard that Williamsburg boasts the most original picket fences and gates, anywhere.  Boy, could I get some ideas for Mr. Fix-it, here!

Are you getting enough green to chase away the winter blues, yet?  I know it's helping me!

The kids were history-ed out by suppertime, so Mr. Fix-it brought them back to the hotel and the pool.  He left me there in Nirvana, to wander the cobblestone streets as the sun was going down and the streetlights were coming on...

My feet were sooo tired by the end of the night, but I felt fully full of beauty!  Oh, what a wonderful day!  If you make plans to be out east, definitely visit Williamsburg, and add Jamestown settlement to the list also.  The Narnia-type ships that the first settlers came over in were a hit with the kids, and so was the museum, the settlement, and the Indian Village.  Hope you got filled up on gardens!  I'll leave you with some last pictures of President Jefferson's home, Monticello.  Jefferson brought over many varieties of plants and trees from Europe, and liked experimenting with cross-pollination.  His gardens overlooked the beauty of the surrounding foothills.

 

The Door Hunt a.k.a. Salvage Extravaganza!

Yesterday I was on a hunt...for 2 doors.  We need one for our bedroom remodel project, and Mr. Freckles never got one installed for his room!  The 20 or so random doors in the garage haven't seemed like possibilities, so I have been feeling the need for a door hunt! Unfortunately, I am a door snob.  The hollow core doors above are NOT a possibility for my home.  We had 2 bright blue ones for the kids rooms, and at the appropriate time...I kicked them in!

My first stop, above, was the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. You never know what you'll find at these types of stores, and it's usually cheap!  I like cheap...I pick up free on the side of the road!  They were having a door sale!  Outside, they had free doors (no, thankyou), inside they were 1/2 price...$10 down to $5.  I began the hunt...

I found my front door!

I bet they'd take a donation of another...

I found one for our bedroom, after needing to ask the nice man for a ladder so I could be taller and "thumb through" the heavy doors (they were laying on their sides)! My specifications were 30" x 78", 1 3/8 in. thick (directly from Mr. Fix-it). As you can see, above, the doors have their measurements on the sides. The width and heighth was straightforward for me, but as I held my tape measure and was looking at the little hash marks, I faltered at knowing what 3/8" was!  I know where it is on the sewing machine...but with a ruler, I am much more comfortable with 1/4", 1/2", 3/4".  Hope Mr. Fix-it didn't show that desperate text to his engineering buddies!

I digress.  I loaded up my 30" x 80" x 1 3/4" inch thick bedroom door (he can make the adjustments :), and headed to a bigger and greater adventure in search of Mr. Freckles' door!

In my old North Minneapolis stomping grounds, there exists a junker's heaven:

If you have an adventurous junker friend, have several hours, and want to be very cold, take a field trip to this place!  Your mind will be blown!  It's in an old warehouse that isn't heated.  Wear boots...for more than 1 reason!

My garage seems clean, after being here!  The first room you enter blows your mind with huge, antique built-ins!  These will put you out $3000 or more!  But oh how fun it would be to build a new house with all the treasures found in this building!

I'll have that top left one in the craft room,  the top right one in the dining room, the white one in the master bedroom closet, and the craftsman one in the family room...perfect!

A pedestal sink for the bathroom, a farmhouse sink for the kitchen, a big, deep sink for the laundry and mud room, and a nice, soaking clawfoot tub!  A cadaver table?  No, thanks!

As you can see, they don't just have a couple items to choose from, they have hundreds!  And if you think the prices will be cheap because they have so many, think again!  They've spent hours disassembling buildings to get this stuff!

Back to that "in my dreams" house...A fireplace mantle for the master bedroom, some corbels for the kitchen island, a beautiful bannister to decorate at Christmas, and how about the metal gate as an entrance to the solarium? If I had all that money, I'd need the perfect color green safe to put it all in!

Oh yeah...why did I come here?  Doors.  I'm on a mission for 1 door.  30" x 78" by 1 3/8" thick.

Eight aisles of doors!  Front doors, patio doors, screen doors, pocket doors, arched church doors!  What were my numbers, again?  Wonder what kind of deal I could make to bring my drill and take off all those luscious doorknobs and doorplates?

Right after the overwhelming door aisles is the millwork building...looking for a piece to match your trim?

If you dare to go up the scary warehouse stairway, there is a whole floor of windows,  whole restaurant's full of chairs and booths, grocery store glass windows, and whole theatre's worth of seats!  

By the time I got to the basement, my toes were numb, I had my gloves on, and I couldn't help but giggle to myself!

If I was producing some type of theatrical production/set construction, this would be the place to come, also!

Those guys up there scared me!

Garden art is plentiful here:

And like any good junk collection, the goodies overflow outside.

My eyes were tired, my brain was fried, but what a fun outing for a good, junk fix! I went home with my Re-Store door and measured my most recently SOR (side of the road) door.  Perfect measurements!  Now if only Mr. Freckles could handle the white paint instead of wanting it dark stained wood!  A junker's life is never calm.

The Galleria: Memories and Inspiration

Maaany years ago...my design roots began at a wonderful custom furniture store in the Galleria in Edina, Mn, named Expressions Custom Furniture. I had quit my first-out-of-college job in merchandising and sales for Midwest Coca-Cola, realizing the corporate world was NOT for me.  A family friend knew of my creative side, and recommended me to her boss, the franchise owner at Expressions. The next few years, I was able to be mentored by our friend, and help customers with floor plans, fabric and furniture choices, and other custom items for the home.  I loved it, and enjoyed working at the Galleria, and being surrounded by some of the best retail available!  Last week, I was down in Edina, and thought I'd stop in and see what the aptly described "shops of distinction" had to offer these days.  My old workplace is long gone, but I found plenty of visual inspiration!

I entered the west end of the Mall and was greeted by the freshly remodeled Pottery Barn. I loved the rustic beams throughout, and how they display their items is always amazing!  I have to remind myself that they have a visual team!  They had ladders all over the place...such a versatile decorating item!

Next door, I was greeted by the elegant, industrial, Restoration Hardware.  I love their bath fixtures and lighting.  Years ago, I purchased my light over the kitchen sink from them, and I still love it!

Their coffee table that looked like a giant, silver trunk was amazing!  Their wood/metal industrial tables looked a lot like the tables Mark makes for us at Patina General.

Pottery Barn kids is always fun to look in, even though I'm past this stage :(  I've always enjoyed decorating children's spaces.  The extent of fun themes is limitless, and Pottery Barn seems to think of them all!  I loved their new Dr. Suess theme (sorry, didn't get a pic.)

A local retailer, Oh Baby, is another great inspiration for kid's rooms, and they have amazing clothing!

The yarn-wrapped wheels gave me an idea of what I can do with the 3-4 vintage baby buggies I have hanging in the garage!  I loved the giant mushrooms!

The Gabberts family started the mall, and they are the cornerstone.  Cheryl and I both have childhood memories of shopping with our parents, and getting to partake of their hot chocolate, while sitting in a courtyard of antique desks, a t.v. with kids shows, and a bubbling fountain.  Gabberts hosts wonderful decorating and accessorizing seminars throughout the year.

For the kitchen lovers, Williams Sonoma is heaven.  Ampersand has wonderful gifts, and beautiful accessories.  Their window showcasing MacKenzie Childs, with it's black and white gingham and topiaries was adorable!

Crate and Barrell is a relatively new addition to the Galleria.  Their clean, fresh look even appeals to a vintage lover like me!

My greatest surprise was at the east end of the mall, next to Starbuck's and Barnes and Nobles; the newly opened Arhaus!  This store totally reminded me of Expressions, but with an awesome Anthropologie vibe and merchandising!  I was in retail heaven!

Their architectural relics from around the world had me oggling!

International junking?  Sign me up!  Have experience... Seriously, this stuff can not be found Minnesota junking!!

Their displays were awe-inspiring, almost theatrical.  A table setting in a giant birdcage? Over the top!

Their upholstered furniture was sumptuous.  Maybe because I sold well-made, beautiful furniture for three years, I'm kind of a furniture snob.  There's just something about rich fabric, hardwood frames, and a well-built piece that I love.  

There seemed to be a training going on when I was wandering...that's how new they are.  As I was admiring everything, I saw a beam of sunlight poking out of the middle of the store:

A whole room of my favorite color, aqua!  And that creative wall art?  None other than brown kraft lunch bags!  I love elevating everyday items to "art"!

Vintage books were used as display in every way, shape, and form.  They are definitly the most valuable decorating asset you can buy...for usually the cheapest price!  With their colorful bindings corralled by color, without their front covers, en masse, rolled, or tacked to the wall.  Let's hear it for books!!

What an inspirational window shopping day I had!  Has anyone else visited a Arhaus store in your neighborhood/city?  I'd love to hear your impression.

Hope you all get to get out and enjoy some good retail inspiration this holiday season...know it always gets me in the mood to decorate my house (and, uh, my store).

Happy Shopping!

Summer Road Trip

Summer's been over for a whole month already, but I needed to re-live our memory-making summer road trip before too much time has gone by.  We are full into fall at the store, and even have plans for Christmas, but I need to slow down a bit and remember what a special trip we took just a few weeks ago.  Still need to get pictures printed off!

After two days of driving, we arrived at our nation's capital around supper time.  We got checked into our hotel that was just a block away from the Mall, and headed straight to the center of the city.  As the sun set, and the lights came on, my kids got to experience for the first time the wonder, beauty and awe of this great city.  The monuments they had only seen on TV, were in real life!

The calm and quietness of the Mall at night was beautiful.  It whetted our appetites to experience what were inside all these historical buildings.  We spent the next four days pounding the pavement and getting a brain-full of beauty and history!

Thank goodness our kids are big!  I did not envy the families that were pushing strollers.  Washington D.C. has so much to experience, and older kids can appreciate the history.  It brings to life everything they've studied through the years, and really fills in the gaps.  In the summer most of the buildings are open until 7:30, and we took advantage of every waking hour.  Breakfast and lunch were eaten on the run, and supper was late so we could see all that we wanted to in 4 days. Here's a quick re-cap:

Unfortunately, the reflecting pool was devoid of water.  It is an election year, and the Mall was under construction.  Many other buildings had scaffolding, and were being refreshed for their publicity, come November.  It was kind of a bummer, but we were still able to appreciate all the monuments.

The World War 2 monument was beautiful.  The fountains, combined with pillars of each of the states surrounding it was quite impressive.  Big Boy has quite an eye for photography, and Happy Girl had just purchased her first camera, so LOTS of pictures were taken, from every possible angle.  Don't worry...I will not share them all with you!

Mr. Freckles thought the statue of Abraham Lincoln would be bigger.  From this view, it would have been nice to have some water in the reflecting pond!  

My favorite memorial was the Korean War Memorial.  The life-size bronze statues combined with the live ferns and underbrush, made me feel like I was trudging through the forest with the soldiers.  The stone wall where their names were engraved was etched with faces that seemed to be looking out, looking back at history.

The Vietnam Memorial Wall was somber.  So many names...the high cost of war.

Jefferson's Monument is a hike, but has a great view once you get there.  Happy Girl said this was her favorite one.

Later in our trip, we got the opportunity to get to know this great President better, as we visited his home at Monticello.

Mr. Fix-it is our travel planner, and he had planned ahead and gotten us into a White House tour.  It was so strange to actually be inside the building where the President and his family live.  I've been to D.C. before, but this was a new experience for me!

Yes, it was being worked on, of course!  Didn't get many up-close pic's of the White House, since security is so tight.  I loved seeing the beautiful interiors, and noticed especially the fresh floral arrangements throughout.  I found out there are three full-time florists who work for the White House!  What a job!

To experience all aspects of our government, we took a tour through the Federal Bureau of Engraving and got to see money being printed!  

Throughout the city, I was noticing these beautiful flowering trees that were in full bloom.  Since we were there in mid-August all the plantings and florals were full and at their peak.  There was definitely a color scheme of reds/hot pinks that continued throughout.  I later found out these trees are Crepe Myrtle.  Don't know if they are Minnesota zoned. 

Mr. Fix-it arranged for us to get a guided tour througout the Capital, which was very informative and interesting, since I had never been there before, either!  In true "mom" fashion, I arranged for everyone to wear red, white, and blue, so we could snap our Christmas photo outside of the Capital! ;)

We had heard that the Library of Congress, which is connected to the Capital was quite memorable.  Wow!  The architecture and beauty of this building rivals European grandeur!

We also went to the National Archives and saw the Declaration of Independence.  Of course the kids loved it, since National Treasure is one of their favorite movies!  I wished we had more time to explore this building, but it was getting to the end of the day, and the bodies and minds were getting tired!

Of course, we all enjoyed the many different Smithsonian buildings.  We just scratched the surface of the bounties that could be experienced there.  The Museum of American History is a favorite.  Happy Girl and I spent quite a bit of time looking at the First Ladies' Inauguration dresses and the Presidential China.  Because my kids have been raised with "old stuff" around them all the time, we all appreciate the everyday history items that we saw here.  We spent some time in the Natural History museum, looking at underwater beauty.  The boys spent some time at the Air and Space Museum, while Happy Girl and I went to the Sculpture Garden and National Gallery, to experience some art.

Yes, that last picture is my favorite of the whole trip!  Family trips just bring out the best in us, don't they?  Are you tired yet? I am.  But our 4 days aren't complete yet!  The last two destinations end on a somber note.

The Holocaust Museum is relatively new to D.C.  Because I visited Auschwitz while I was in college and knew the memories it had for me, I wanted my kids to experience this important time in history.  We spent many hours here, immersing ourselves in how the human condition can turn to evil.  Since I studied speech/communication in college, I was particularly interested in how the Nazi's used 12 years of propaganda to persuade the German people to their ideals, and eventually vote Hitler into their democratic society.

It was sobering for all to see how human beings were stripped of their belongings, their children, and their lives.

Our trip to the nation's Capital culminated with observing the sacrifice that has been paid for our freedom.

We wandered though paths of headstones and read names and dates, we observed the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier, we heard a marching band in the distance, and taps being played, and then while walking out we heard the clip-clop of horse's feet.  A regal ending to our experience in this great city.

The Great Outdoors

My family recently spent a nice long week up north at my brother and sister-in-law's cabin with the whole family clan.  It was a nice break from schedules, email and our busy daily routines.

Our time away was just what my family needed to end the summer before the busy fall schedule begins.

Time in the boats, playing at the sandbar, a peaceful kayak ride to enjoy the beauty of the lake, treasured time with family full of laughter, lots of teasing and enough food to feed the five thousand.

Time to enjoy God's beautiful creation while dreaming about the future and remembering the past.

As we puttered along the shore taking in the beautiful scenery, I can't help but notice a pile of beautiful aqua metal yard chairs.  The junker in me never really goes on vacation and I'm thinking that since they're sooo close to the lake couldn't that be considered "lakeside clean-up"? (just like curbside clean-up days)  Maybe we need to try out a new style of junkin Lora, hook up the pontoon boat!  We could be the "Pontoon Pickers"!

 

Fenelon Place Elevator

Dubuque, Iowa... a charming town nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Preserved vintage buildings line a quaint downtown shopping square, and Dubuque is home to the Fenelon Place Elevator.

J.K. Graves lived on top of the bluffs and worked as a banker below.  The long daily buggy rides propmted his idea for an inclined rail car.  Originally built for his personal use, he later opened it to the public for five cents a ride.

 
At the bottom you enter a small wooden car built on an incline to match the grade of the hill.  Inside is a bench on either side that is much like steps on a staircase.  You pull a bell chord to let them know on top you are ready to leave.  During the ride you are hoping that the cable towing you up the hill has recently been inspected.  

Once up top you go through the turnstyle and pay your fare.  While the rides are no longer five cents, they are still a bargain.  My mom, daughter and I rode round trip for five dollars total.

The view from the top, the city below is a beautiful sight to be seen.

The bluff is still home to many gorgeous vintage homes.  Daughter and I loved the elevator building with all its vintage details. The bead board walls and ceiling, the operators counter with vintage pulls and fun old light fixtures. Sorry no pics.

The downward ride is fun and a little tense at the same time.  Since its origination in 1882, the elevator has suffered two fires with reconstruction and updates along the way, but its vintage charm has remained unchanged.

American Pickers

The "Iowa Tour" began on our way home from Moline, Illinois.  This isn't the Antique Archaeology van and you would never find a piece of junk in this truck.  It's my Dad's Escalade (he's not a junk lover, can you tell?), but it made for a comfy long trip.

First stop...  LeClaire, Iowa, the American Pickers home base.  

I've never seen an entire episode of the show, only bits and pieces while in the kitchen or folding laundry.  I always pictured the site being off a dirt road in the middle of no where.  It's actually a block off the main drag (67) going through town.  My dad found it as soon as he spotted the iconic Nash car.

We arrived twenty minutes before opening and within minutes carloads of people(tourists, followers, groupies)began arriving and snapping pics like myself.  Guess we need a camera crew next time we go junking, Lora.

It was fun to recognize a few items I had watched them pick during the show.  We didn't catch them in town, heard they were picking in Wisconsin.

Danielle (the self proclaimed "Queen of Rust") has her own store just across the street.

We liked her collection of sewing machines.  Unfortunately I think I could beat her in "up to the challenge" of sewing machines.  That's a whole other post. 

Back in the truck and on to Dubuque!

Lagomarcino's

I visited Lagamarcino's during a recent trip to Moline, Illinois.  A trip to Lagomarcino's was like a trip back in time.

From the top of the tin ceiling (love the light fixtures too) to the tiny white hexagon tiles on the floor. 

Lagomarcino's is known for its chocolate.  They ship their famous candy to destinations around the globe.

Our daughter passed the chocolate counter and landed at the kid candy.  It's still sold by the pound and placed in individual white paper sacks.  She decided on rock candy, fruit slices and gummy flowers.

 

 

 

The old soda fountain is still in place along with the mahogany booths.  What a great place this would be to enjoy lunch, taking a break from the busy-ness of today while relaxing in the past.  I think I could have spent the day just enjoying the vintage building.

 

 

Lagomarcino's has been featured in several magazines like Country Living and Midwest Living just to name a few.  Wish I could be in town to see it all decked out for Christmas and Valentine's Day.  I guess they go all out in their store windows.

Check back for more posts of my journey ("The Iowa Tour").

Where's the Beef?

This week has found me getting ready for the big weekend!  Memorial Weekend in Minnesota is the start of summer.  Yes, the kiddos have a couple more weeks of school, but it's time to head to the cabin, or the lake, or the beach for the first visit of the year!  For my family, we all converge on a little cabin and boathouse on a little lake, that my Dad built with his Dad and a couple friends, in high school!  It is anything but fancy, but it holds many family memories.  This year we have a new cousin that's visiting for the first time!

Our weekend will consist of garage saleing in town for the ladies and small children, while the guys head to the golf course.  We will fit in some fishing, some swimming, some game playing, and a lot of good food.  Memorial Day will be spent listening to some beautiful patriotic music, and appreciating the cost that many took, fighting for the freedoms that we enjoy.

Since I've been in food prep mode, I thought I'd share what I'm bringing to contribute. 

Cheryl is a hamburger-loving girl, but I am more of a hot dog girl.  My Dad worked at summer carnivals in high school and college, selling old-fashioned hot dogs, and sleeping under his trailer at night. The Shrimp spent a few summers selling foot longs at the Great Minnesota Get Together (the State Fair).  My family likes a good hot dog.  The other day I stopped into our new neighbor, around the corner from the store, Nortog Meats.

They have samples of their products all along their counter.  I tried one of the bits of their old-fashioned weiners, and wow!  That is a good hot dog! I decided to get some along with a few of their brats for the cabin weekend.

I love how the hot dogs are all connected, so old fasioned.  Reminds me of kids cartoons!

 

They had a couple different kinds of brats, I just chose the original, but I had to pick up some jerky for Mr. Freckles.  He loves gnawing on either the beef version, or the turkey.

Along with the hot dogs and brats for the weekend, I am also bringing some family favorites: Baked Oatmeal, Granola, Rhubarb Crunch Dessert, and a couple more recipes that I will share in my next posts.

If you're needing some great meat to grill, check out Nortog Meats!  When you're shopping on our Occasional weekends, check out their lunches.  I loved their BBQ pork sandwich. They will also be open on Sundays of Occasional weekend-Yeah!

 

Anticipating Peony Heaven

As I've been watching my own peony plants get bigger by the day, I've been checking Swenson Garden's website, anticipating their amazing Peony Field Tour that I attended last year!  Check out last year's post, here.  They have planned to open their fields at their home in Howard Lake, MN Memorial Weekend, May 25,26, and 28th.  They will probably be adding another weekend.  Watch their website and blog for more details. Swensongardens.com  I know I want to make plans and swing by on the way to the cabin!  If you have a wedding or special party on the horizion, contact Becky about cut flowers!  We got a whole load of beautiful blooms for the Shrimp's wedding, and they were amazing!! 

Hope you have been able to get your hands dirty in the garden this week!