Awesome flea markets

Yesterday morning I went to the Tailgate Antique Show held at Craven Farms in Snohomish. I got there around 8:30 am but it started at 8. You have to get up early for these events! It was so cool - outdoors, at a farm, lots of vendors. It felt a little like the great flea markets that I've read about in Country Living magazine or in Rachel Ashwell's book - Shabby Chic Treasure Hunting and Decorating Guide. I was pretty excited to be there. I considered bringing my camera but I feel that I'm either participating *or* taking pictures - I can't do both. Does that make sense?

There was lots of stuff that I like and other stuff that is just fun to look at. I loved this little toy phone in pale pink with a rotary dial but since I hemmed and hawed about buying it - someone else snapped it up! I spent about 90 minutes there. I left with a vintage pillowcase, a rusty iron skeleton key, a beautiful china bowl with roses, an ornate oval-shaped frame, and some decorating magazines for 50 cents each.After I left the farm, I had to stop in at my favourite store nearby - Faded Elegance in historic Snohomish. I picked up the pink-framed roses print seen above. Being Saturday (or any day!), I also had to go to Goodwill - I hit 2 different stores. I found the heavy, iron architectural element shown above - this baby is heavy! I also found this fun wood toolbox that I'm going to use as a planter on my deck. As an aside - did you notice the background? My deck is "shabby chic" aka it hasn't been painted in years! :) At Craven Farms, I saw lots of planters made of old wood boxes filled with sedum and/or flowers. Great idea for me to copy! This is what I'm talking about:

image credit: Junk Market Style (they have a magazine!)

A few weeks ago, I went to 2nd Saturdayz Market at Sandpoint for the first time. It is a Parisian style flea market - not that I know *exactly* what that means! I do know that I enjoyed it. Not too big to be overwhelming but all of the vendors were great. I left with some vintage bark cloth, a vintage pillowcase, a vintage hanky for my collection, and a large ornate gold mirror ($25) that is now the focal point of my living room. Sorry for the very bad photo.

Note to self: don't attempt to take photos of mirrors at night.

2nd Saturdayz takes place once a month at Sandpoint Hangers at Warren Magnuson Park in Seattle. I have a 2 for 1 admission coupon so......who wants to join me on July 10th? Denise? Andrea? :)

I'm feeling very lucky to live in an area with such cool shows to attend. I'm also thankful for my hubby who "lets" me go out on Saturday mornings and go hunting while he spends time with our boys. Thanks, Sweetie!!!

I'm linking to Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality and Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm and Treasures and Trinkets Thursdays at My Cottage Charm.
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Summer activity ideas for kids - many that don't involve money!

It didn't take long after school was out for that dreaded question. Mommy, what can we do???? In order to keep my sanity, I came up with a whole bunch of ideas for my boys (and for me) to prevent that question from coming up too often!

I came up with 6 lists.
1. Activities for rainy days at home (inside the house) that are basically free.
2. Activities for rainy days - outings that cost money.
3. Rainy day outings that are free or very cheap
4. Activities for warm & sunny days at home (outside) that are free
5. Activities for sunny days - outings that cost money - gas or entrance fee.
6. Sunny day outing ideas that are free (parks, beaches, etc.)

My friend Colette suggested I share my lists, so here goes. Keep in mind that my boys are 5 and 6 1/2 and these are ideas for weekdays. We don't seem to have any trouble coming up with things to do on the weekends, especially in the summer. There is a festival every weekend around here!

1. Rainy Day activities at home that are free

- playdough

- painting

- Lego

- cars

- Tinkertoys

- make a craft

- cut pictures of out magazines, make a collage

- put on a puppet show

- make cookies/muffins with Mommy

- play a game (Zingo, CandyLand, Connect Four, Battleship, Memory, Hungry Hippos, etc)

- PlayMobil

- dress up

- jigsaw puzzle

- finger painting

- do an exercise video with Mommy

- Hide and Seek

- activity books (colouring books, dot to dot, hidden pictures, mazes)

- read a book or two or three or four or five or.....

- write in a journal

- act out a play or a story (a fairy tale?) and Mommy will video tape it

- look at photo albums

- draw pictures on paper or chalkboard

The following at home activities have a bit of a cost involved:

- stamp on T shirts

- make stepping stones

- make a pinecone bird feeder

2. Rainy Day outings with a cost involved.

- Everett Children's Musuem (we have a membership)

- Seattle Children's Musuem

- Bouncy places (Pump it Up, Jump Planet, 3-2-1 Bounce)

- Creation Station

- the Museum of Flight

- Pacific Science Center

- Seattle Aquarium

- Everett Skate Deck (rollerskating and inline skating)

- Chuck E. Cheese

3. Rainy Day outings that are free or cheap

- Library events - there are a lot of concerts and other activities including story time

- McDonald's play area - the one in Redmond is especially fun

- Free movies - Tuesday mornings - details here

4. Sunny day activities at home (free)

- sidewalk chalk

- hopscotch

- basketball

- ride bikes

- run through sprinkler

- slip and slide

- water balloons

- wash the car

- watch bugs with a magnifying glass

- play hockey/soccer outside

- sandbox

- frisbee

- play in plastic pool

- make sun prints

- play marbles

- throw bean bags

5. Sunny Day Outings that are free or almost free

- Parks/Playgrounds (I compiled a big list of our favourites and ones we haven't visited yet)

- Beaches

- Free Concerts - the city of Lynnwood has free events on Wednesdays at noon starting June 30th

- Pick fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)

- The Zoo (we have a pass)

6. Sunny Day outings that cost money (mostly gas or an entrance fee)

- Miniature golf (Interbay in Seattle or Willows Run in Redmond)

- Arlington Kangaroo Farm - (Wednesdays through Sundays only)

- The Funny Farm in Monroe (seriously, that is the name!) - has kangaroos, llamas and camels

- Tacoma Zoo

- Snoqualmie Train

Note: I have only been to the train in Snoqualmie, not the other places, so I can't vouch for them.

I hope this helps someone! Check your local parks and recreation for ideas and Family Fun has great ides for backyard games and crafts as well.

I'm linking to Flaunt it Friday.
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