Willow Nest : Burton,TX

Ludmil and I continue, in our home to edit , edit, edit….  one morning this week we “played house”. After we had finished moving this here, that there, removing this completely, returning this to inventory, .etc. etc.  I walked around with a cup of coffee in my hand and made a lovely discovery! We had opted to KEEP…. quite by accident, so many of the things that have been purchased or have been gifts from dear friends.  I want for the people and the items that we treasure and hold dear,to know how special  they are.We began the morning by asking , what do we really treasure, and what is simply filler.. here are most of the things we kept. My lovely cast iron angel,old white pitcher with a pink rim, a wee beaded chair, my three favorite books, long white benches, our deck furniture, and most of my ironstone collection, all from Mary Mac….. beautiful dried roses from Bulgaria from Ludmils daughter,a pink wire basket from our trip to Paris, all my original Wendy Addison glitter stars. My cement rooster from Marilyn, and my chalk chicken family from so long ago, something that I may never give up. My sweet baby dress, just the right color of blush, with Willow Nest Farm and the date, embroidered on the hem, from dear sweet Kaci & Luann. A small white wooden box from Julie G. and a handmade paper box from Julie V.

We especially enjoy all the French linen sheets, and big down pillows, and a  pink ticking, from Coco, and our friends Dani and Eric.. and all my wonderful old linen hand towels that I use each day, laundering them over and over , hanging them on the line for the breeze to dry… I  love those linens. We have a small little frame, inside is a tiny bloosom of snowdrops, that Ludmils Mom sent years ago to anounce spring.. I found them hidden away in his drawer, and pulled it out and said these need to be out so we can celebrate your Mom and your old home and country…. they exchanged these snowdrops in the mail when we lived in the N.W. where we could grow them… Ludmil had framed them in an old fadded pink frame, how perfect is that? One other really special piece we have is an oil painting Ludmils Dad had brought back from the war, it was offered to me years ago when we visited Bulgaria, and I could not accept, it was somthing they too treasured…. but last year when Ludmil returned from Bulgaria it returned with him… and now this simple girl sitting, playing her violin rests here for the time being, it to be passed on to his daughter Sophi …….

My list would not be complete without mentioning all the things… well not all.. that would be pages.. but the things Ludmil has made for our home.. I have mentioned the bed,  but the big tall cast iron framed mirror is another item I love and the cabinet that houses my Pink Luster pieces… and the big candlesticks that are created from old balastrades.. are the three items I am especially enjoying at the moment..

The whole idea of this post was to share with people who know us, and our friends who have made our home the haven that it is , how much we think of you and how often , as you surround us, you are with us every day…even though we are unable to see you sometimes for months at a time… I do not miss any of the things we took away, and it delighted me to discover that now almost every piece we have kept has special meaning… don’t you just love a little ah ha moment coming your way ever so often?

Now to the serious news of where you can find us… we will be in Dripping Springs..starts on Wednesday, March 10th from 4:00 to 9:00 pm.  The show is also on Thur. from 9till 4.I hope you are making plans to come out and see the  vendors and enjoy an afternoon of shopping The preview evening includes  enjoying not only shopping but also wine and treats under the stars.You can see all the details on Garden Antiques Blog, and Bloom&Bee Swanky…  following that show on Thur. we will set up at Austin City Wide, for the weekend.. so fun ,busy times… and THEN  …. Marburger , we are in Tent A, right next to Judy Hill and across from Magnolia Pearl, please come see us.. we have some terrific things…  and now I am going to go have a cup of coffee, and think of my pretties and all my dear friends…. Love Linda

One of my favorite holidays…. Valentines. We will be showing our wares at the Urban Market in Houston…. I tried to cut and paste all the info.. but got the whole website instead… so you can go to Carolyn Westbrook’s site, she has info and will be there as well, and Peg and Jon from French Vanilla, and Bryan and Mel from Seed Box, Hector and Susie… the most famous junkers around, Judith McClellen, with all her antiques linens, and new shipment from France. We were guest vendors at her unloading sale,this past week, and you simply do not want to miss out on the next time hosts one . The things are amazing that she and her son find in Europe, they have been going for over 25 years so they have a network of people over there that help with the shipping, and getting from one faire to another… it is quite impressive how this all comes together, and an amazing amount of work, in the cold and mud, and dirt.. very committed dealers these two, you do not do all this unless you love the business….we are all just a wee bit crazy in this field you know….some of us are just downright insane.. when Judith told me she had to sleep in the truck the night before the container was to be loaded I felt so bad for her, it was freezing cold outside…. but she did it! Anyway… I got distracted, I just admire all my friends and fellow vendors who work so hard to bring our loyal customers the things they desire… I for instance have one sweet very pretty girl who comes to me first at Urban Market, she has the sweetest baby, her Mom told me she calls me “her lady” lets go to my lady first she says…  we are blessed to have many who come to see the sweet little things that Ludmil and I have either made or collected just for this show..

Now I must sneak in another little announcement… we have been asked to join with Brandi at her ranch in Dripping Springs for a show that will held on March 10 and 11Th… the 10Th will be a preview evening…. and then all day  on the 11th…. I will do another post with details as soon as I get them.. BUT you must mark your calender as Steve Wyman, from Uncommon Objects is also showing and Linda Parker, to name just two that I know of so far… and I think Peg and Jon from French Vanilla….we will all head right after that to the Citywide Garage sale in Austin… with a whole new load of good stuff I promise…. we have things set aside for that show already… so spring promises to be a very busy time and I will do my best to keep you posted. You know Theresa at GardenAntiques always has the latest scoop…with all the details on her blog side bar, what a sweetheart she is to do this for all of us, especially me who still is struggling with the simple task of cut and paste…and split screen… what I am not having trouble with is finding great things, and creating sweet little parcels for you to enjoy and take home with you… come see us at Urban Market and let me give you a Valentine kiss….. Love Linda

Do you ever just follow your heart? I so believe this to be our best path for oh so many reasons. I have a little bedtime story to tell you. Remember this bed? In the middle of the room? At our “other house”? It had been moved along with every last board, screw, and box from the attic, down to our “B” house, you know the one with everything we needed all in one spot! Well it is now right back in it’s rightful place just as we are. I came to Ludmil and asked him to come share a cup of tea with me, I needed to talk to him about something important… he agreed, he knows I do not ask this lightly or often. I said” my heart is in the other house” “I know this house has everything we need, your great shop, the store, the garden, it makes the most sense, BUT, my heart is in the other house!” Without skipping a beat Ludmil said, ME TOO! I said are we crazy? is this insane, we will have to build a shop for you, a place for our wares, what are we thinking… and that is just the point…. we are not, we are just following our heart, so here we are waking up again in our big bed in the middle of the room looking at the donkeys, the cows and the beautiful Texas sunshine. So friends follow your heart, what is your hearts desire? It is the season of love isn’t it?  Happy, Happy Valentines to all. Love Linda

Remember it’s never to early to think about Valentines… I have been having fun creating some especially sweet valentines using old lace, vintage paper, ribbon and some little heart images, packaged in Glassine bags…. if I am really lucky I can get a photo of those out for everyone to see. Right now you will just have to come see them for yourself at the Red Barn, Antique show here in Round Top, Texas this weekend…… P.S. I might just get to loving this blogging thing… you think?

I am going to be Chatty Kathy this morning.. I need to tell you about the month of Jan. 2010…. it’s going to start off with a bang.. we are ready for a great New Year… have been able to buy on our travels, have fresh merchandise and will be showcasing our wares at the following shows…. This weekend we will be at the Austin City Wide Sale….. we are joining some of our favorite friends, Jon and Peg from French Vanilla will be there, I think you will see Hector and Susie, and the lovely Linda Parker…. it’s sure to be a great way to start the New Year…. easy to get there, right off Riverside Drive… come see us!

We are having our first clearance sale by joining with Gloria and her group of vendors in Athens, Sweet Pea is hosting this great sale on Jan. 6th thru the 9th… our things will be all white things, and all at 50% or more off the original price….. this is a great sale for all you white lovers… check our the Winnie and Tulla blog for more info…her vendors are all having great savings on items as well…. we are serving ALL WHITE FOOD, I am in charge of this department!We will start with white grape juice and champagne… and my personal signature… WHITE MASHMELLOWS…. yeah!!1 everyone should have one a day! Keeps a smile on your face all day….

On Jan.16&17 you will find us in our own back yard, at the Red Barn Show… as you know this show is the one that kicks off the season here in Texas and many of your very favorite vendors will be at this beautiful well attended show. Come for inspiration and new ways to feather your nest for the New Year…