Girl Time

Yesterday started as usual.


Morning chores were tended to as the sun rose over the farm...
everyone emerging to greet the day.


The day ended as all do...
evening chores as the sun sank below the horizon.
Everyone who was out and about for the day found their way home...


Except, of course, for those crazy runner ducks who were still up
in the upper pastures.


Every day ends with a duck roundup...


 guiding them back home to the barn for safe-keeping overnight.

Everyone gets their supper.


And just like that... the sun set on another day.


The part of the day that lay in the middle between morning and evening chores...
was a fun-filled "girls" day of visiting quaint little country shops, and lunch. 
(We might have had a beer for lunch... wild women!)


There's nothing like a day spent with a dear friend... a day of laughter as we read 
every silly greeting card in every shop!

We are lucky, here in the country, to have a wealth of adorable little
shops - just bursting with Christmas cheer.



One of my favorite places is this old stone house.


The owner is a sweet Mennonite lady who has a shop behind her house.
However, at Christmas time, she turns her entire first floor into a shop.


It is filled with all sorts of decorating ideas.


And while, after all these years, I am not in the need of any more decorations,
it sure is fun to look at everything.

Another great market is within this old barn.


And this local shop is one of my favorites...
Located just outside the town of Middleburg.


The owner refinishes and up-cycles furniture.
Do you see that black and white checked pillow on the church pew?
One just like it is on my bed...
it has sweet little white Christmas trees decorated with tiny white pompoms.


She painted and re-upholstered the couch (and all of the other furniture as well) in the above photo.
I love it!!
It makes me wish I had a little cottage to decorate!


It's the perfect blend of antiques, repurposed, hand made,
and new.

Back home, with chores done...
there was time for a quick stop for treats.
("Thanks, Kim - we loved the whole wheat Ritz"... said Ginger and MaryAnn.)


Comments

Louise Stopford said…
What beautiful shops with the most delightful things for sale. You really are lucky to have such wonderful stores for you to visit. I would love to wander around but I would be so tempted to buy so many of those treasures. Have a lovely weekend.
colleen said…
I just drool over all the shops. Would love to visit the Mennonite shop.... well actually ALL the shops. I like the brown packages under the Christmas tree at the The Olde Loft.
Karla said…
Bev, I think adding a cottage to your farm is a great idea!! An AirBnB! Oh man, are you perfect for this! Making sure the cottage is cozy, decorated to the nines, lovely food for your guests, they could help you with chores around the farm! https://thekitchensgarden.com/2018/12/13/a-warm-spot/

This lovely woman, Celi, has an AirBnb on her farm property in Southern Illinois.

You would have no end to guests!!!!
Anonymous said…
Looks like a great day!
littlemancat said…
I love these shops! We have some good ones around here too (Chester county,PA). A friend and I just did a Chester County's Best Kept Secrets Tour which took us to shops much like yours, a great mix of primitives and modern. My favorite,perhaps, the most wonderful bookstore - Wellington Square Bookshop in Exton. You would love it! The tour stops -32 in all - ran from almost up to Lancaster county to southern Chester county. We did two days, but to see it all, you would need more. And the lunch stops - yum!
Mary
Lynne said…
Looks/sounds like a great day . . .
I enjoy visiting the little shops . . .
“Idea time” magnified!
I need nothing . . .
but a cute checkered pillow might find its way to my home too!
daisy g said…
What a fabulous outing! I see a simple glass cabinet at the last shop that would go home with me! Lovely furnishings.

It's surprising to see so much green on the farm! Our snow is finally melting.

Enjoy your weekend!
I love shops like those! So much fun to look and browse!
This N That said…
Those shops are right up my alley..Cute things..nicely displayed. very tempting..Glad they are there and not here..sorta!! You can decorate my cottage anytime you like. I guess it's not the kind of cottage that you have in mind..xxoo
Joanne said…
Thank you so much for including us here at The Olde Loft in your fun day! It was lovely seeing you again and meeting your friend. I am enjoying reading your blog posts. What a dream you’re living on your property with your animals! 😊