A Fine Fall Day

After some cloudy and rainy days, we had sun today. I had wanted to visit Heart of the Lakes Antiques in North Webster for some time. This is one of my favorite area antiques store. I talked my husband into going with me. First, though, we stopped at nearby Tri-County Fish and Game Reserve. I was disappointed. I had hoped to see some colorful trees reflected in the small lakes. I don’t know if I am too late or too early or if this is not a good spot or year for color. Last year near the end of September we saw more color at Shock Lake than this year. Still, it was nice to travel some country roads and walk among nature. I saw one heron take flight.

On the road to Hammond Lake we saw a few colorful trees; and on the main road to the reserve was an interesting silo.

Most of the soybeans and corn are quite dried out and brown and should be harvested soon.

I bought a few things at the Heart of the Lakes antique store including these 4 placemats. Blue, again. LOL.

Then we moseyed on Old 30 to Columbia City to eat lunch, followed by a stop at Columbia House Interiors. I had seen an ad in the Warsaw newspaper that this company is celebrating its 50th anniversary and one of their services is reupholstering. Good news is that most of their fabric is on sale or will be in the next few weeks. We checked out 2 sample books to bring home which we will return in a few days. Once we have selected a fabric, they will visit our home and measure the 2 chairs we are thinking of recovering.

So it was a busy, happy day spent together. My husband even remarked it was fun to be retired and run around.

Eureka

I have been looking for something to hold umbrellas, canes, etc. to set next to my front door for 5 or 6 years now. I love the salt-glazed crocks, especially the ones with a blue flower or motif, but they cost hundreds of dollars, way out of my budget. This goal gave me something specific to hone in on when visiting antique stores. I have considered china and metal objects as possibilities; even a tall coal hod. That search ended Friday at Heart of the Lakes Antique Mall in North Webster.

 

While this is not salt-glazed, the bright blue bands go very well with the décor of my living room. I believe this is a butter churn minus its lid and paddle. Notice the “ears” or handles. On the bottom it says R.R.P. Co. Roseville, Ohio. This is not to be confused with Roseville Pottery which made decorative/art objects which are highly collectible. According to the internet, this is Robinson, Ransbottom Pottery Company. It is noted for utilitarian objects. It manufactured pickling crocks and churns and things of that nature until 2005. I really have no way to know how old my churn is. It was not a bargain, but I think I paid a fair price and it was within my budget.

You can clear up any confusion with Roseville Pottery by reading a little history of Robinson, Ransbottom.  

I am pleased to have found this crock. Lest you think I won’t be visiting any more antique stores, there are a few other items on my desiderata list and of course there is always the fun of serendipity. I picked up this retro tablecloth on the same browsing expedition.

Boat-in Worship

This morning we decided to get out of our routine. We visited the boat-in worship service on Lake Wawasee. There were probably over 100 people with us on shore sitting in lawn chairs. We estimated 50-60 boats parked around the Lilypad II which held more worshipers and the speaker and vocalist. The loud speaker from the Lilypad worked well. Probably 300-400 people enjoying a beautiful day at the lake while focused on God.

Before heading for Oakwood Park where the boat-in takes place, we had breakfast at Cool Beans café . The homemade raisin cinnamon toast was excellent. I don’t drink coffee, but my husband said it was good. All kinds of coffee-based drinks available. Their specialty is huckleberry pancakes, but because we had blueberry pancakes a few days ago, we went with egg dishes.

After the service, we walked around Oakwood Resort which reopened this summer after being closed for several years. We are hoping the restaurant might step up a notch to a Sunday brunch buffet. Right now, they have a breakfast buffet which is small and not very interesting. We sat outside on a bench watching the Lilypad head for The Frog where it is moored. About half a dozen beautiful classic mahogany boats grouped in a corner of the bay and then took off as a flotilla around the lake, each with the U.S. flag projecting out the stern.

By then it was 9:50 so we headed south to North Webster and Heart of the Lakes Antique Mall which opens at 10 a.m. Didn’t find any treasures though.

I believe Lake Tippecanoe also has a boat-in worship service; maybe if we get another gorgeous Sunday we will try it this summer.
Nice to live in lakes country.

Treasure Hunt

As I set out towards North Webster after lunch, I noticed the sky’s split personality. Towering puffy white clouds against a pale blue for the most part, but low-hanging glowering gray clouds to the northeast where I was headed. A few splotches of rain on the windshield were all I experienced. The farm fields are still brown, but the pastures where the horses graze sport bright green. 55 mph increased the mpg of the Prius and I didn’t even use up one pip on the fuel gauge. I enjoyed the drive thru the countryside, but have mixed feelings about the results.
The new shop where I stopped that advertised fabric for pillows, etc. was a bust. Heart of the Lakes Antique Mall where I never expected to find a fabric remnant had a suitable option for the lampshade I want to cover. I bought it, but now that I am home I can’t decide if I like the fabric enough to invest the work of covering the shade. The print is a little busy maybe. What do you think?

The lamp to be covered. Shade is in good shape but yellowed.

I’ve never tried covering a shade. The internet has instructions, though. 
I looked last week at several places in Fort Wayne. Didn’t really see anything I loved. Don’t really love this, but better than what I have seen so far.

I guess I should go to Lowery’s Sewing Store here in Warsaw before doing anything. This remnant is 2 1/2 yards (I only need 1 yard) and I could use it as a table cloth on my small table if I don’t use it to cover the shade. I had looked at a few fabric-by-the-yard offerings on Etsy, but so hard to judge by a photo the true colors and texture. The one I liked best would be shipped from Hong Kong and the shipping cost is almost what I paid for the remnant today. I only paid $10 for the lamp so I don’t want to spend a lot for the shade redo. Decisions, decisions.