FLORENCE - THE ANTIQUE CAPITOL OF COLORADO

I thought it was time I did a post about Florence, Colorado.  It is a small town south-east of where we live -- less than 10 miles from our house. 

They claim to be "The Antique Capital of Colorado".  This weekend they celebrated 88 years of honoring their pioneers.

 Even though we hop over to Florence regularly to eat and antique; we make a point of going over during Pioneer Days as they sponsor an open air junk/antique market, a steampunk market, and bargains in the shops.

The two main blocks are full of antique stores on both sides of the street.  There are more shops scattered in other blocks, as well.

These are our favorite places to eat -- Quincy's (an evening steak and prime rib place); The Aspen Leaf (sandwiches, soup, salad and baked goods); and the Japanese place.  Our son who has traveled to Japan several times deemed it very good.

 But, let's do some shopping first!

 This is Colorado - the Wild, Wild West!

No, I didn't buy that brown transferware pitcher -- out of my price range at $79.

Some of the dealers and building owners live 'above the store'.  We toured the upstairs of this building at last year's Christmas home tour. The Wilson Block was a former hotel in its heyday.  The upstairs apartment is fabulous with about 4000 square feet, an atrium, beautiful stairway, and a newly-installed elevator.  I lost track of the number of bedrooms; and the owners have a wonderful art collection!

 If you are in the area, it is worth the stop to walk down main street to shop and eat.

I'm joining the following:

Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
A Southern Day Dreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

BALLOT BOX

At the silent auction of a neighboring town's museum recently, we put in a bid for a ballot box and won!  Apparently at one time, it was the law in Colorado that ballot boxes were to be glass so that the ballots could be seen at all times.  This ballot box was used here in Fremont County, Colorado until the 1970s for local elections.  BUT, this isn't what the ballot box and its carrying case looked like when we won the bid!

This is what we got for our $10 bid - a ballot box and its carrying case IN PIECES.  It was amazing to us that the glass parts were unbroken and, thus, the project was worth restoring.

Bob worked his magic - he loves projects like this!

Incised on the top piece of glass is "National Ballot Box - Pat. June 17, 1884"

"Mfg. by Amos Pettibone, Chicago"

You can see here the brass rings that hold the two glass pieces together to allow the ballots to be retrieved for counting.

This beauty will join our small collection of ballot boxes.  You can read about our Otero County, Colorado box here and our fraternal organization ballot box here.  

We keep thinking this has to stop as we are running out of room; but it's hard to resist a historical item like this for just $10.

I'm joining the following:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Vintage Tuesday
The Dedicated House for Before and After Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

"THERE'S GOLD IN THEM THERE HILLS!!!"

Autumn in Colorado is all about viewing the aspens as they turn to gold!

A short trip to the mountains this weekend provided an opportunity to take these photos.

This was probably the last weekend to view the aspens. Snow is in the forecast!

Thanks for stopping by to view our state's autumn glory,

Sally

A POTPOURRI POST

We have had an enjoyable but quiet Labor Day weekend. Our son, the teacher/traveler, came home for a couple of days. It is always fun to have him home, as we have great conversations. He is so knowledgeable about so many things with opinions to match! We learned years ago, it didn't do any good to argue with him; as he is usually right. The weekend included a trip to the city to upgrade our family plan of cell phones (ugh!); and also a trip to the mountains.

Bob and Mike hiked down to this swimming hole, while I (the non-outdoors-type) stayed in the car to read my new decorating magazine. Unfortunately, ten minutes after they left; I rolled down my window and the security alarm on the car went off for some reason. I spent my reading time trying to figure that out.
We came home by way of the skyline drive that gives us this view of our little town.


Then the grandkids came over to play with Uncle Mike. What is better than a single uncle that is still a kid himself and brings presents plus some of his own "toys" to play with?



It was the best kind of weekend!!






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Last week for a church women's group, I needed to bring two potholders for an exchange. I had been wanting to try some of Irene Berry's (an editor at Quilters Newsletter Magazine) paper-pieced patterns. I knew I didn't want to make a whole quilt, so potholders seemed the perfect project. I chose an apple and a radish. I liked the way they turned out, so I will probably make some more for gifts.


Thanks for stopping by,



Sally

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STATE FAIR TIME!!

Every year for most of my life, I've gone to the Colorado State Fair. Bob and I exhibited there as kids, as did our kids. Now, we just go and walk around on Senior Citizen Day! Why not? Admission is free for us "old folks", and the crowds are slower (literally).

There is so much to see and do. Over the years, we have seen some great rock and roll and country artists in concert. You can see the demolition derby, tractor pulls, and mutton busting.

There's the rodeo, the monkey act, the sea lions, and the tiger act. But, best of all are the farm animals. I loved this mother pig - she must have had 12 piglets with her, and this little one wanted to eat again. Oh, was she thinking, "Leave me alone, mama is tired, just let me have a little nap."?

Lots of exhibits to see! There is fine art, handiwork, the kid's 4-H things, etc. plus all of the Colorado conservation exhibits. Then there are the commercial exhibits where they sell everything from pots and pans to massaging chairs.



And one exhibit not to be missed is the ongoing sand sculpture, and to think it is destroyed after the fair.



After all of that walking, it really comes down to the food. Look at this booth - you can get 'deep fried Coke' to go with your 'elephant ears'!




Or, how about Italian sausage sandwiches?


I'm going to have to choose something, so I can't get distracted by those century-old trees and the Colorado blue sky.

This is Bob's favorite. They cut right to the chase - call it what it is - FRIED DOUGH!

Decisions, decisions; and wouldn't you know, by the time I chose something, the camera battery went dead. So you will just have to imagine my huge, cinnamon roll with the works (frosting and pecans)! I ate the whole thing, the whole day's allotment of calories. Next year, maybe I'll try the 'deep fried Coke' and the 'elephant ears'!

Have an enjoyable Labor Day weekend.

Sally

COLORADO DAY!!

August 1st was Colorado Day, the anniversary of our state's birth in 1876. It's called the Centennial State because it was admitted to the Union during the 100th year of our nation's founding. There are 54 mountains with peaks that are more than 14,000 feet high in our beautiful state. Katharine Lee Bates was inspired to write "America the Beautiful" after seeing the view from Pike's Peak. There are now over 4 million residents who enjoy the outdoor life, the beauty, and the friendliness of the state.

During the summer, those of us who live in the foothills and on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains experience hot and very dry conditions. After all, it is part of the great American desert. We get very little rain, so most of our water is from the high country's spring runoff. In the mountains, of course, they have tons of snow (think skiing) that stays on the ground all winter long. But, here on the eastern slope we have the most glorious winter. We have snow often, but it usually occurs in the mornings; by noon the sun is out; and by 3:00 pm the snow is melted and the sky is a gorgeous shade of blue. It is said that we have 360 days a year of sunshine!!

The first of my ancestors (a great-great uncle) came to Colorado in 1876, the year of statehood. The family was involved in the logging industry in Maine, and this great-great uncle lost a leg in an accident. He was told that the logging industry was no place for a one-legged man, and that he better go west where he could ride a horse. So, the local Masonic Lodge gave him $100 and he came as far as he could on the train. Then, he walked on his wooden peg leg carrying a few belongings to southeastern Colorado where he homesteaded. His two brothers soon followed lured by the idea of free land. In true pioneer spirit, they made a life from cattle and sheep ranching and farming.

I have lived all of my life in Colorado except for five years in Montana, and I hope to never have to live anywhere else. I'm a proud native Coloradan!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Sally