Branson or Bust

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branson, Missouri? do I want to go there? I never thought I did, but my partner bob's (aka the bobster) brother & sister-in-law go every year & have a ball. sooooo, I was promised that if I go we can take the back roads & hit all the thrift shops, flea markets, yard sales we see. yea, right! bobster's idea of "every thrift shop, yard sale,etc." you see is more like 2. it' always the same excuse "oh, I didn't see it. you have to tell me way ahead so I have time to turn in." so now it becomes my fault we only stop at 2 instead of "everyone we see." in the meantime, I have sunk down in my seat sulking as we pass yet another thrift store, knowing that the one treasure I have been searching for my whole life is in that building. the piece of a lifetime that will get me on antiques roadshow. I will be would have been standing right there when they told me my item was worth so much money they couldn't even begin to put a price on it. but no! I had to leave it behind & hope we stop at the next thrift shop, yard sale or flea market.

anyway, we're off to branson. I will be blogging from the road & adding pictures along the way. if, by some chance I do find that treasure of a lifetime you will be the first to know. and as for branson, everyone I mention the trip to says "you will have a blast, we went & it was so much fun". so, I am looking forward to this trip.

two things I don't want to forget to take

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a trusty camera

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a journal so I can remember where I was when I found that fabulous treasure

 next stop alabama & parts in between...

I'll write soon!

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog. I hope you will enjoy what you find here & will return often. I am passionate about thrifting, anything vintage & handmade. So you will find lots of information & posts relating to these subjects. I have an Etsy shop, Katy Bits & Pieces, so you will see items featured here not only from my shop but from the other great shops selling on Etsy. As you get to know me you will see I am truly a "person influenced by a broad & diverse range of sources". I guess you would call my style eclectic.

To start off I thought you might like to see some pictures of my home town. It is a charming little village in Central Florida. I will, from time to time, feature events & happenings here & in the surrounding areas. It is quite a unique place & there are all kinds of interesting people & interesting places to explore.

 this is main street...had to take this picture, as well as all of the others, early in the morning because the streets are always full of visitors & cars are parked in front of the buildings by 10:00 am so good picture taking time is limited.

 

 

  

old garage which has been turned into a huge antique mall. it is not unusual when you go inside to be met by the owners pot belly pig...

this is a shop called Dakota Mercantile. if you love marie antoinette you will die for this shop...

doesn't this remind you of New Orleans?
hard to see in the pictures but that is half of an antique bike hanging from the wall. great little place for tea in the afternoon...

Old Florida Cafe...if you are into great black beans & rice you have come to the right place.

Mosswood Farm Store...someday I will take you inside. it is fabulous! consists mostly of locally produced organic & natural products. oh yes, you will want to spend time on the porch while sipping a latte or a glass of sweet tea & catch up on all the happenings in town.

you want to be sure to go out back & check out their brick oven where, on saturdays only, they make several different varieties of artisan breads. be prepared to stand in line if you want some & don't be late because they go fast.

need to mail a letter? here is the post office. we actually have one right in town. it is not much bigger than this one but it is modern & not as photogenic. this one is about 5 minutes down the road & way more interesting.

I know it's not 4th of july but I thought this would give you an idea of the town spirit we have here.

one more 4th of july picture...too cool!

tired yet after the tour? you can spend the night here at the Hurlong Mansion. it is absolutely gorgeous. they have weddings here almost weekly. 

it is also reported to be haunted...

Well, that's a brief introduction to me & my home town. I will be looking forward to having you visit again....