My First Flea Market And A Slight Hangover

It's hard to believe, but it's been almost 20 years since I first discovered Kane County Flea Market. We were living in Wilmette IL and the boys were one and six. John traveled a lot... a lot. If you have, or remember having little ones at your feet (and a husband out of town), you know the idea of a flea market that is about an hour away, with two girlfriends, is just what the doctor ordered.

The previous summer, I had taken a quick alone trip to Dallas to go to visit my parents. Mom and I always took a day to hit the road and explore little Texas towns, and ended up in Fredricksberg.
What a charming spot! We had never seen anything like this.
Mom and I ventured into a store called "Homestead".
I thought we were going to actually fall over at all the creative ideas that were going on in this home decor store.
I had never imagined mixing old and new items... and bedding where nothing matched exactly, but was somehow just right.
Beds made out of hickory so fresh, some had sprouted leaves.
Huge vintage jars filled with white, children's tea sets, white buttons and string. Tattered violins, iron beds and white antique linens hanging from the rafters. Huge farm tables set with antique china where not one pattern matched, but the colors did.
(Imagine the Angels singing)
Anyhoo, I was bit... and bit big.... (back into my native slang).
So my friend, Susie suggested we go to this "flea market" and see what it's all about.
At this point, I hadn't really thought about vintage or antiques... or really even collecting them.
I was however, enamored with transferware. I didn't know there was a name for it, but always like seeing those patterns in old movies or television shows.
I decided that I would look for a wash basin set, you know, the bowl and pitcher thing.
To set the tone, you must know that John was out of town, but coming home the next day and a sitter was all set.... and that the night before when the boys were settled in their beds, my childhood friend Dyanne called and was having some relationship troubles.... and that she had a glass of wine. A thousand miles away, I cracked open a bottle for myself.
When 5:00 am rang in loudly, I was not at my best.

Nausea... and then some.

During the drive there, I knew I needed food.
It was May, but drizzling and really, really cold.
We parked and paid our way in, and I confessed to my girls that I had to find some food or we would be going right back home.
Cold and hungover... (angels again) we wandered into the main building where the local 4H club was selling home made soup. White bean with chicken, and oyster crackers to boot.
I was a new woman!

We found ourselves surrounded by several booths that sold antique quilts. We had quilts as kids that our relatives had passed down, but I had never seen artwork like I was seeing.
You know how you have moments in your life where you see something and are forever changed?
Susie picked up a quilt, spread it out. She ran her hands over it and remarked at the quality of and craftsmanship behind every stitch.
That was it for me.

So now I want to show you what I found that day.

The pitcher, basin, shaving cup and saucer as well as the chamber pot.
Susie did mention that it would be great to serve soup out of...

This was my most delightful find. Just for me.
I paid 185.00 for it all those years ago and still love it.
The entire day was so special... did you know that when it's cold, raining and muddy that at every flea market they sell socks and gloves?
At the end of the day we had a huge meal at "Country Kitchen" that filled us up for the ride home. (We were hungry.)