Willow Nest : Burton,TX » Linda

a delightful discovery

Linda — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:57:46 +0000

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

Angel slippers and other pretties….

Linda — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:53:18 +0000

Here are a few little offerings for you to consider. Enjoy!A little angel slipper with German Dresden wings, mounted on a chipboard frame, covered with pink vintage paper, hung with a ribbon,in that special little spot. $15.00Dance into the heavens, with a pink lace angel slipper,there are about 4 more of these and then no more!All one of a kind however.$15.00the perfect little slipper..in a sweet little box! aprox.2″ $10.00A Cinderella slipper…. just slip it on…does it fit? $15.00A gentleman’s slipper, from the Royal Court perhaps? $15.00A pretty ballgown and matching slipper.. just one, where oh where is the other? $20.00

These have been made with love ,if you wish one for yourself…. just leave a comment or send me an e-mail and I will make arrangements to send them your way…. these are all no bigger than a 6×8 size some even smaller… next time I will put a penny beside the pieces so you get a good idea of size.. this was my first attempt at more than one photo, and I could not have done it without my sweet friend Heidi, from the HeidiClaire blogspot… what a treasure she is.. I swear it takes a village to raise me! It was fun and I am learning little by little.. bear with me please I promise to get better.. Love Linda…. who is forecasting that spring is on the way, I can feel it in my bones….I am warming up, and the feeling springtime energy returning after this cold winter.

The most romantic time of the year!

Linda — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:35:21 +0000

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

We have been invited!

Linda — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:40:37 +0000

2 Fabulous Antique Sales by Urban Market Dealers This Week ~

Judith McClellan & Darrell Davenport

Please join Judith and Darrell for their latest French container unloading. In addition to the fabulous new load, Willow Nest {www.Willownest.net}will be with them during the sale.Starting Tuesday, January 26th through Saturday, January 30th, please come visit us between 9:00am-5:00pm.

For information, please visit http://www.antiquesandlinens.com/, or call us at

713-880-9449.

1003 West 34th St Suite A and D

Houston, Tx 77018

And you can find both of these great Antique Dealers at The Urban Market Houston Antique Show on Sunday, February 7th!

following your heart

Linda — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:41:16 +0000

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

little pockets of love….

Linda — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:22:24 +0000

These beautiful real preserved roses tucked into a glassine envelope with bits of vintage lace and tulle are the prefect tuck in to that special Valentine gift…….. $5.00 plus shipping…….. will you be mine?

It’s Valentines… time for pink glitter kisses…

Linda — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:01:50 +0000

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?

Is it spring yet?

Linda — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:48:40 +0000

my sweet friend Carol Ross takes some amazing photos of many precious things, one of my very favorite images she uses is, PINK ROSES, does it not just say spring? Romance? Valantines? LOVE? I could go on and on…

This is a huge day for me, January 11,2010… this is my first photo, that I took, with my camera that Geff fixed, that LuLu brought back to him to fix when she was here last spring, that Christie my sweetie, just today showed me how to get my pictures out of my folder and put them HERE…it does indeed take a village. I am so excited… and amazed. Of course I have no new photos to share, as I am only able to master one thing at a time… to do just this. If you will bear with me I am going to do several posts this week.. pulling up older shots to get real comfortable with this process, next I will learn how to take a photo of my booth and get it on the very same day, like all of you amazing people out there. OH by the way our sale continues at Winnie and Tulla’s where all our things ae white and all 50% off. We are headed for the Red Barn this weekend… one of Texas’s best antique shows.. we have some really amazing pieces for this show, a nice large farm table, a big french inspired cupboard….a canning bench, a beautiful statue of ST.Joesph, and one of Jesus… I think you will like our mix. come see us. Love Linda

Starting off the New Year… sales/ dates &places

Linda — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:44:26 +0000

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…

Stopping to smell the roses

Linda — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:34:24 +0000

Like so many people we too have become caught up in the whirlwind of activities that rob you of the simple daily joys and beauty that surround each of us.I have not learned to use the camera, I have not taken time to get my lessons on the computer so I can create the kind of blog I want , I have not planted my traditional paper whites to enjoy for the season….and for the first time in 20 years I am not having a Christmas open house. Why all this neglect? We have been driving all over the country doing shows… and while that has been an amazing experience it has also zapped us. I did not even get a post up about Silver Bella, which now seems months ago, when actually it was just 4 weeks ago… we had an incredible time, got to see our old friends Denise Sharp and Amy Smith from the N.W. and spent time with Carol and Gwen and Karla and Debbie of Curious Sofa who we would be joining for Miss Frenchies in Kansas City.(that was this past weekend) you can see photos on ,http/karlascottage@typepad and the Raised in cotton blog spot listed on my friends section. Anyway that too was a wonderful show… so very much talent in one building.. we were so hoping that we could meet their expectations and all those lovely ladies were so concerned that we would do well, as we had come from so far away… it is so sweet to see the care and love that is extended to one another.. it did put into focus for me the very important message of doing what you love and the money will come and it did….. thank-you very much Kansas City.. but more than that I spent the weekend with people who I enjoyed being with and who cared about us…. you will see that I was loaned a fur coat by Gwen as it was so so cold and I now have Texas blood running thru my veins and was chilled to the bone until she loaned me not only the coat but a hat and gloves to match…. now that is special! Debbie came around with hot coffee in the morning and I don’t know how she did that as she was so busy, and Carol ,our neighbor was oh so helpful….. had tissue I needed among other little things.. her booth was so inspiring. You will love the photos!!!!! Anyway back to my message of smelling the roses.. these past two shows we have left a day early so that we arrive fresher and also so we can stop and visit friends and see family, I got to spend a very sweet time with my son and his wife and my adorable darling ,smart, helpful grandchildren.. Nicholas was a big help he even swept…. he did say “Nana why did you put all this hay and snow and glitter all over the floor, you made such a mess” And how do you answer that? We went down to the Country Club Plaza early sun. morning, nothing was open and we had one of our traditional nature walks Poppy (Ludmil) broke the ice in the river and showed the boys how it cracks open,we threw pennies in the fountain… Nana would not give up one of her dimes…. we talk about eating nutritious food, and using our manners and being grateful for all we have. We will make simple recycled cards for Christmas and tree decorations when we meet for Christmas at my daughters… this was why we moved to Texas to have this kind of time with our family and to see this beautiful country.( Kansas, not so beautiful in the winter) …. although the people are…. one last little sharing story.. we had gone to lunch, a mother was also having lunch with her triplets, who all had red hair.. a rare sight indeed… one little boy needed to go to the bathroom and she said come on all of you I can’t leave you alone , that’s when I stepped in and said I would be glad to watch over them while she attended the little guy, she said “oh bless you” I spent the next 10min. in the most amazing dialogue with three yr. olds I learned about their dog Molly who is old and deaf.. sleeps upstairs.. when they put lights up for Christmas their house looks like a gingerbread house… they have a fish who is huge and too big for his tank…. the mom came back I filled her in on all that we spoke of , she smiled , so proud of her little wee redheaded boys, as she should be. I was simply so happy that there are still places where one mom can help another with complete trust and knowingness that all will be fine…… now I need to go put my lights up and make my house look like a gingerbread house.

Merry Christmas to all and too all a goodnight… I have always loved that sentence…