Celebrating All Weekend

Today is my birthday and it is also Father's Day. I was actually born on Father's Day so it is kind of neat that my birthday falls on the holiday again this year. I decided to celebrate all weekend.

When I went outside Saturday morning, I could not believe how our condo garden has grown. This is my neighbor Emily's doing not mine, but I benefit since the best of the little garden is right outside my window. The flowers bloomed beautifully for my birthday weekend.

Molly is enjoying her new kidney diet and her coat is looking great. That is a nice birthday present that Molly is healthy.

We practiced selfies.

Percy gets jealous. He likes all the attention.

We decided to have my birthday on Saturday so Dad could have his day on Sunday. My sister took me out for brunch on Saturday. We both went with the Eggs Florentine.

After we had brunch I went to visit my Mom at the nursing home. Afterwards I had to go to Molly's vet's to buy her special food.  This chapel is on the same road as the vet's and I have always wanted to see it up close.

So I drove down the little path and took a good look. It is such a pretty stone chapel. I could not get inside but the exterior was spectacular.

The doors were impressive. The chapel, called West Parish Chapel was featured in Yankee Magazine.

The doors are fantastic. I love all the iron scrollwork on them. Oh look there's my shadow.

My friends came over to my Dad and sister's house for cake and presents. Chocolate cake filled with chocolate mousse. It was a very caloric weekend. I got some nice gift cards and my sister and I are going on a Sunset Lighthouse Cruise in Portsmouth on Friday night. This was her present to me.

I got up early today and drove up to Todd Farm Flea Market in Rowley. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and not too hot. I will show you what I bought in my next post.

I was so happy to have found a new radio station for my car radio. On the way up to Rowley, I heard a Fleetwood Mac marathon and some tunes from Pat Benatar. Driving home it was all U2. I was loving it. It brought back memories. My kind of music.

After I got home I made myself a latte, took it out to the patio and read some favorite magazines. Look at the photo above I think I have found my next daytrip location.

My sister and I went for our usual Sunday breakfast at Aroma Café. Dad went golfing. The man is on oxygen 24/7 yet he has managed to still keep up his golf game. Unbelievable!

I checked on the flowers and I swear they grew taller since yesterday. Tonight, we gave Dad his gift and had Legal Seafood takeout. He gave me my gift and we ate baked schrod and birthday cake. Life is good!

Todd Farm Flea Market

This morning was crisp and sunny. A perfect Fall morning and also perfect for a trip to the Todd Farm flea market. I got up earlier than usual and headed north to Rowley, Massachusetts.  The market opens very early.

When I arrived the grass was still wet under foot. The vendors were set up in the fields and I was ready for some serious fleaing. I went by myself so I could breeze through at my own pace.

Such a variety of items! And some very cool stuff. I liked this bird cage with stand. And this man

is showing off his version of Todd Farm chic.  More about Todd Farm chic later in this post.

Little iron furniture perhaps from some antique dollhouse? It was very detailed.

Some of the chicest people there were the vendors. This man sold handmade belts. They were well done!

He said the belt on the right was made from melted silver dollars.  Nice handiwork but more than I could pay.

This birdhouse was quite the conversation piece.  A true work of art. Steampunk birdhouses.  They were really cool. I did buy something from him but not a Steampunk birdhouse.  They were out of my price range.

Here's another birdhouse. If you buy one you must keep it on a covered porch. But obviously open porches are best if you want birds to use your birdhouse!

Can you tell I was smitten with the birdhouse? Ok enough already!

I vote this most creative use of a propane tank.  I told you that had it all at Todd Farm!                        

This old sewing machine at a fabulous table with it. It was in great condition!

I bought something from the owner of this very creative space too! His name is Jamie and he was so sweet he let me leave some of my purchases in the back of his van until I finished shopping.

You can tell Jamie had a flair for display.  His van had curtains on it! And all of his little vignettes were so eye catching.

I was speaking with a woman named Ann Marie who was a Jamie fan and she commented that no

one but Jamie would think to put a typewriter with china.  But it looked good. 

  Another one of Jamie's displays.  Nice china set and glasses but I didn't buy these either.

This was so pretty.  A perfect tablescape for an Autumn morning.

This desk set was Jamie's too.  He asked $25 for the set of two desks and chairs yet someone who wanted them thought it was too high of a price.  Wish I had the room for them I thought the price was fair and the desks were in good condition. Just a little scratched.

Of course my eye was drawn to the teapots.  That blue one was a real beauty!

 Ok, about Todd Farm chic. My attire for the excursion consisted of a boiled wool jacket for warmth, a black long sleeve jersey, blue jeans, and my waterproof boat shoes.  Green in color.

As I walked around and observed those in attendance, I noticed that people actually put thought into their attire.  Whereas I thought more about comfort and the fact that I might get dirty looking at old things.

This woman said she was an artist and she also liked the steampunk birdhouses. I liked the color of her sweater, so perfect for this season. And those boots were fab!

This woman looked very artsy to me. Is this reminiscent of the Annie Hall look? That's what comes to my mind anyway. For now we shall call it Todd Farm chic. I guess the next time I go back there I will wear one of my nicer jackets and a scarf or hat so I can be Todd Farm chic as well.

Back to the shopping, nice silver pieces.  I do love silver teapots but no I took home no silver.

Ah, yes, the architectural salvage guy.  Very cool stuff.  And that door knob in the front went home with me. I also got the plate that goes with it.  It is from the 1800's.

Nice wicker pieces, I was wondering if I would see some.  I would love to see some wicker on our porch at the condo.  We have no furniture out there and it needs some attention.

These heating grates were at the architectural salvage guy's booth. I saw a pot rack made from a grate like this.  What a great idea! I have a grate that I could use as a pot rack but my space in the kitchen is limited so it probably won't happen.

Here's the last of the photos.  This caught my eye, looking so pretty on an Autumn morning.  I will definitely show you my purchases in another post this week.

Hope you all had some fun this weekend too.