Flowers and the Flea Market

A crazy Southern sky full’a storm clouds didn’t stop me and my Mom from hitting up a local garden center’s Spring open house event this past weekend.

We were like kids in a candy store amongst all the pretty flowers and plants.

Mom was on a mission to find us a couple of hanging pots for the naked shepherds hooks sticking out of our front flower bed.

There were so many beautiful varieties to choose from…

We ended up picking these two because she thought I’d be able to keep them alive the longest…

I’m still regretting not bringing home a couple of these for my naked porch pots though…

Begonias. *sigh* Sweet, sweet begonias. (I will be back for you- I promise!)

After we loaded our flowers into the car, we decided to pose like Vanna take a walk around the property…

I love a good ‘walk n’ talk’.

Especially when it takes place underneath umbrellas like these…

…and is occasionally interrupted by invitations to tiny islands like these…

Lamar and Johnny definitely know what’s up when it comes to walk n’ talks…

After our stroll around the pond, we headed over to Eastbrook Flea Market. Mom was on the hunt for a little mirror to hang on the fence in her secret garden…

We looked at lots and lots (and lots!) of contenders, but in the end she chose the little round one in the photo above.

We saw so many great flea market finds while we strolled from booth to booth. I loved the tone of this big basket…

…and those map and glaze-covered boxes would be kinda fun to make too.

We saw a neat twig-covered chandelier, pretty pastel-painted frames, stunning vintage cameras, a magnificent, blue-painted mirror, a sweet little garden-themed chandelier, and a colorful, folding ruler, like the one we used in our Flea Market Style magazine article…

There were lots of farm-style wares too…

And I could’ve just eaten up this driftwood frame, antique trunk, and vintage card sorter…

…as well as this seafoam green butter slicer, wooden number ‘thingy’, and this amazing old metal bed…

It was such fun shopping trip, and although I really didn’t plan on bringing anything home with me, Mom went ahead and bought us this piece of framed photography we’ve had our eyes on for quite a while now…

The tag on it said ‘Old Minnesota Farm Family Panoramic Photo’…

…and it is right up this Minnesota girl’s alley!

(alley?...pasture?)

So many things draw me in…the simple old farmhouse…the little kiddo standing on the chair (in front of his mama?)…the six-pane windows…the one that’s open upstairs (what does that room look like up there?)…

The little girl in the middle…the weathered barns in the back…the beards on the men…all their s’penders and straps…

The car on the right side of the picture intrigues me too…surely it was parked there for a reason (composition?)…

The whole thing just makes me wanna build a barn on a bed of round rocks somewhere!

(One with a chevron-patterned door, and teeny-tiny square-shaped windows, of course.)

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81 Responses to Flowers and the Flea Market

1. Lisa says:

   Mar 27, 2011 at 10:50 pm

   Oh the thoughts that ran through my mind when I saw the Minnesota farm picture….what were there names, etc!!! So fun to see you and your Mom enjoying the day together!!!!

   

   Reply
2. Joy says:

   Mar 27, 2011 at 10:53 pm

   The best time out with your mom. I’ve got the butter slicer – amazing to see a picture on your blog. Great baskets of flowers. What a great slice of time you posted today. Thank you.
   - Joy

   

   Reply
   • Layla says:

     Mar 28, 2011 at 8:46 am

     Thank YOU Joy!
     

     

     Reply
3. Camille @ the vintique object says:

   Mar 27, 2011 at 11:02 pm

   I like how you show all the little details of that photograph that you like so much! What fun!
   Camille

   

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4. The Old Block House says:

   Mar 27, 2011 at 11:10 pm

   It’s still a little too early for flower shopping in Illinois, but I’m so ready for it. Enjoy those beauties!

   

   Reply
5. Kristen says:

   Mar 27, 2011 at 11:24 pm

   Sounds like a wonderful day! That walking trail seems heavenly.

   

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6. The Twice Remembered Cottage says:

   Mar 27, 2011 at 11:25 pm

   just lovely… every little bit of it…:)

   

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7. Tomasina says:

   Mar 27, 2011 at 11:33 pm

   Oh how I love that photo. We were out driving yesterday looking at old barns. I say barns are the comfort food for your eyes.

   

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8. robyn says:

   Mar 27, 2011 at 11:50 pm

   OH MY is that photo stunning! I can SEE why you had your eyes on it! GORGEOUS!

   

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9. Vanessa says:

   Mar 27, 2011 at 11:51 pm

   What beautiful flowers! You should go back and get those begonias. I need to get started on my hanging flower baskets. That walking path is gorgeous. Love the little round mirror. Very cute. That picture is simply amazing!!!

   

   Reply
   • Layla says:

     Mar 28, 2011 at 8:44 am

     I know, right? Those things are still haunting me….in a good way.

     

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10. Myra @ The Casabella Project says:

    Mar 27, 2011 at 11:53 pm

    Now I’m itching to go shopping for plants for my black thumb to kill and flea marketing for fun! So wish we lived closer! xoxo Do you remember that “brush” cup that I got from you at your’s and Rhoda’s yard sale? It ended up in our newly remodeled bathroom!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Mar 28, 2011 at 8:44 am

      The brush cup! Yes! Glad you could put it to good use!

      

      Reply
11. Belly B says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 12:00 am

    Wonderful pictures!! Why do you seem to have such good finds? I wanna go vintage/flea shopping with you!

    Belly B

    

    Reply
12. Paula says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 12:56 am

    I love the fuchsias and begonias! And what a fun trip to the flea market… makes me want to head out to one next weekend. We’ll have to see if I have time

    

    Reply
13. Lise says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 2:18 am

    I love the farm photo. I’m not surprised that there’s a seemingly random car in the photo. Cars were signs of success and were often given pride of place in photos.

    

    Reply
    • Amanda says:

      Mar 29, 2011 at 8:36 am

      I’m a professional historian, and I’ve seen *many* historic family photos that include objects that the family was obviously very proud of. It was a lot more difficult for early photographers to manipulate light outside of their studio, so most on-sight family photos were taken outside. But, that didn’t stop the families from dragging outside stuff like their massive pump organ or their matching dining room sets!

      

      Reply
      • Layla says:

        Mar 29, 2011 at 9:34 am

        That’s SO funny, Amanda! Thanks for the info…cool to know!

        

        Reply
14. Ever - The red house by the lake says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 3:56 am

    I am so jealous of you seeing all those beautiful spring flowers. The snow is still on the ground here and I really cant wait until I can go shop for flowers to put all over the terrasse.

    

    Reply
15. Susan says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 4:06 am

    What a fun day, Layla…the perfect day.

    

    Reply
16. Marm says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 5:02 am

    You just described the perfect day. LOVE the picture. Thanks for sharing the details up close.

    

    Reply
17. Tenacwalker says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 5:39 am

    Southern Homes and Gardens is amazing, isn’t it!? You need to take a picnic and eat by one of the ponds- such a serene place! And Eastbrook- you are making me so homesick! There used to be a little Thai place right next to Eastbrook that I loved, too. Thanks for the memories!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Mar 28, 2011 at 8:38 am

      We had lunch there! It’s called the Green Papaya and it is DIVINE!!! Mmmmmm.
      (Note: They’re only open til 2:00)

      

      Reply
      • Beth says:

        Mar 28, 2011 at 9:37 am

        The Green Papaya is such a great place to eat lunch! I do not seem to be able to order anything except the Pad Thai there. Yum!!!

        

        Reply
18. Lynn from For Love or Funny says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 6:07 am

    Your mom is so cute! Just like you!

    

    Reply
19. Jenny says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 6:14 am

    What a fun day! I looooove begonias. I have two big ones on my front porch. They give you so much color for so little upkeep energy. Except my neighbors dog ate almost all of one of them.

    

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20. Jennifer says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 7:28 am

    Beautiful flowers!! I am in love and cannot wait to see that around here. Our flea markets don’t seem to have anything that beautiful! Jealous.

    

    Reply
21. Rebecca says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 7:45 am

    I have a trunk just like that that I got at an auction for $15 about 10 years ago!

    

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22. Beth West says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 7:48 am

    I’m glad you and your mom had a wonderful day. It was fun to get to tag along on your shopping adventures. The farm photo is really neat. Show us when you’ve decided where it’s going to live.

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Mar 28, 2011 at 8:37 am

      I definitely will, Beth!

      

      Reply
23. Melanie says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 8:08 am

    cool! I can’t wait to put my begonias out and I LOVE the photograph!

    

    Reply
24. Sarahlynn says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 8:25 am

    oh how wonderful! thats so sweet you and your momma! Sarahlynn

    

    Reply
25. Diana says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 8:30 am

    I love reading stories about your mom! Such great memories being made…..treasure them! Loved that butter slicer!

    

    Reply
26. Flower Patch Farmgirl says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 8:32 am

    Hi El’s Mama!!

    So much fun, girl!

    You may have just sealed the deal here. I MUST come for a visit. I’m dying for a little spanish moss umbrella-action!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Mar 28, 2011 at 8:36 am

      YES! Please! Come!

      

      Reply
27. Fairfield House says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 8:55 am

    What a perfect day — flower ‘picking’ and treasure hunting with your very first friend, Jude! I love old photographs and could get lost in one for some time.

    Your Friend,
    Deborah

    

    Reply
28. Carrie Taylor says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 9:10 am

    Did you all go to Caffco? If not you should next time it is behind Southern Homes and Gardens. Also next time you are in Wetumpka you should go to Wetumpka Flea Market and Antique. It is in the Winn-Dixie shopping center.

    

    Reply
    • Beth says:

      Mar 28, 2011 at 9:39 am

      We have found some great things to buy at the Wetumpka Flea Market. If I can’t find what I am looking for at Eastbrook, I can usually find it there.

      

      Reply
29. Sheri Howard says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 9:25 am

    Photographers used to go around t rural America, knock on people’s doors and offer to take their picture. It was the only time many people ever had their photo taken. The photographer would tell them to bring out their family and anything that was important to them. That car was probably the homeowner’s pride and joy. Sometimes you will see cars, wagons, cattle….all aout in front of the family house or barn. So fun that you have a piece of rural America!

    

    Reply
30. Kim in MD says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 9:41 am

    What a fun day! The walk was gorgeous, and your stunning photographs make me feel like I was there! The old farm photo is amazing…it really draws you in and makes you curious about the family in the photo! Thanks for sharing, Layla!

    

    Reply
31. Beth says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 9:42 am

    What a great day! Southern Homes & Gardens is a great place to take pictures…I took some of my son last year for my husband’s Father’s Day gift. I guess we need to go back out there again while all of the flowers are out.

    

    Reply
32. Elle says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 9:42 am

    The farm folks were showing off their car. It was a sign of their prosperity:)

    

    Reply
33. Grey Stables Cottage says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 9:44 am

    What a beautiful day

    

    Reply
34. laura says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 9:52 am

    i’m so unbelievably jealous that you have such a great flea market to pick through!
    I think I might just need to visit Alabama!!!!

    

    Reply
35. Tina Schiefer says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 9:54 am

    Whoooo, lots of nice treasures and time with your mom. The tree canopy is very cool. We don’t have those kind here. Lots of trees, but not those “mossy” draped ones.

    My fave item is the farm panorama. So much detail in one photo!!! No wonder you had to have it!!!

    

    Reply
36. adrienne gilliam says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 10:15 am

    Ahhhh! I can’t wait till Indianapolis’ weather is nice enough to do this! Growing up in Florida I miss the tree canopies like the one’s you enjoyed!

    

    Reply
37. Allison A. says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 10:53 am

    Love the pictures of the garden and antique stores. It makes me miss home SO SO much! I’m from NC and now live in AZ thanks to the USAF. I haven’t lived in NC for the last 12 years. Your southern talk and “twang” make me miss it even more when I read your posts. That picture…so cool and I agree with you about the questions it conjures. Those weeping willows are so beautiful. When I was a little girl my Grandmother let me have my treehouse in the one she had in her front yard. The treehouse was me sitting in the bend of the branch eating a PB&J. lol Good times. Great memories!

    

    Reply
38. Danna says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Layla,
    What a lovely day! Thanks for sharing with us:)
    Danna

    

    Reply
39. Katrina says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 11:48 am

    I love the tree pictures during your walk! Is that spanish moss or something entirely different? Also, I didn’t know you were from Minnesota. How long did you live in MN and where?

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Mar 28, 2011 at 12:52 pm

      Hi Katrina!

      I was born in Mankato, and raised on a hobby farm about 20 from there. I moved away when I turned 19…I miss it sometimes. (Not the snow though!)

      

      Reply
40. Michelle says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    Your pictures are absolutely beautifu!! I would love to know what kind of camera you use.

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Mar 28, 2011 at 12:51 pm

      Thanks! It’s a Canon 7D.

      

      Reply
41. Melissa Lewis - Midwest Magnolia says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    Ah, your killing me with all these Spring Flowery pictures. I’m a Southerner that now lives in the Midwest, and I’m dying for some flowers and colors and green grass already! Plus, so sweet to see you and your mom having so much fun together. I miss my fam:) But…such a great post!!!! Looks like y’all had so much fun.

    

    Reply
42. Bernie says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    Could that whole post be any sweeter…love the MN pic…

    

    Reply
43. Weekend Cowgirl says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 1:56 pm

    Love all the phtotos. The flowers were fun, but cannot beat flea market photos!!!!

    

    Reply
44. Ginger says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    Lovely post today. Makes me wish it was warm enough here to get started on flowers. You are so very lucky to have a mother to share those memories with. Love the old blue and green frames and I adore your new picture. Hmmm…I wonder where it will go?

    

    Reply
45. Sarah Teske says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 3:01 pm

    Your comments about your mom and her mission to find you hanging plants make me crack-up. My mom is the same way. I think she takes pity on our sad little landscape-less yard, and insists on buying us plants. I always have to warn her, “These may not live, Mom.”
    “I know. I just think you need some …”
    

    

    Reply
46. mary putzke says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    I too look at old pictures like that one and my mind swims of questions of who what and where not to mention why?!?!? History is so cool..i wonder who the picture belongs to and do those people in the photo know that a pictrure of themselves is hanging in some total strangers house?(Well they probably don’t know now). Love it all, looks like you had a great time chillin with your momma. I love being with my mom too. Thanks for sharing your day! Mary

    

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47. Demarus S. says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    Layla:
    I have that trunk in our storage area, but just not sure how to decorate with it. Any ideas would be appreciated Layla. I love seeing your outing with your mom ~ my mom turned 80 this year and is still out shopping every saturday with her girlfriends.

    

    Reply
48. cailan says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    What a wonderful picture and beautiful walk and sweet time with your mom – just perfect. Thanks for sharing – Cailan

    

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49. Tracy says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    Looks so fun. It seems that lots of people get flea-market-fever right alongside their spring fever. I’ve never been to one, but I would love to go!

    

    Reply
50. geri says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    There is nothing more fun than to hang with your best friend.
    who just happens to be your mom .
    You are very blessed and so is she.
    Come to think of it I am too.
    I am with my best friend and my 2 preciouslly hysterical grand babies
    at least 3x a week.
    Start planning lots of mommy sleep overs when your kiddies begin their wonderful life with you.

    

    Reply
51. liz says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 6:21 pm

    I am DREAMING of that walk!!

    

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52. Rita says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    About what time do you post your Tuesday link party? I don’t want to miss it!
    Rita

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Mar 28, 2011 at 7:16 pm

      I’m thinkin’ 7:30 am (central time)….see ya there RIta!

      

      Reply
53. Nana says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    Moved away from Montgomery 7 years ago, and still miss the Eastbrook Flea Market. North Alabama has lots of great flea market/antique malls, too, but Eastbrook is special. Were you at the Southern Something or other nursery – can’t remember the name, but LOVED their flowers and plants and mixed potted arrangements!

    

    Reply
54. Nana says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    OK, I had to do a search online to satisfy my curiosity, and refresh my memory! So, were you at Southern Homes and Gardens? Love ‘em!!!

    

    Reply
55. Lemonade Makin Mama says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 9:07 pm

    Oh what a fun time!!! Your mama is a cutie, and you look like her too!!

    

    Reply
56. Ocean Soul says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    Nothing finer than a day spent with mom! the driftwood frame is awesome! It’s on my TO DO list!

    

    Reply
57. Danielle says:

    Mar 28, 2011 at 10:09 pm

    And when you get those kiddos one day (and you will), Eastbrook’s owner will say , EVERY time you walk in, “we take kids on trade in.” Has become a joke between my husband and I.

    I am down the street from you and am glad to have just found your blog recently – duh!

    http://amomseyeview-lulu.blogspot.com

    

    Reply
58. Everlasting Blooms says:

    Mar 29, 2011 at 11:08 am

    That looks like a wonderful day spent with your mom!

    ~ Stop by our blog some time, I think we just might have similar style?
    ~Happy Tuesday!

    

    Reply
59. Kristina says:

    Mar 29, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE old weathered trunks! Always have my eyes open for one, but these expensive eyes always find the pricey ones!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Mar 29, 2011 at 1:02 pm

      The ones we saw that day were $140. Is that a good price?

      

      Reply
60. Holly says:

    Mar 30, 2011 at 6:46 am

    LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures of those flowers… I can’t wait to pretty my house up for spring!! I so wish we had gorgeous spanish moss here in NC, and walking trails like those… makes me want to go out and find places like this around my area!

    

    Reply
61. Erica Cooper says:

    Mar 30, 2011 at 11:26 am

    Oh, what a fun flea that looks like it was! I can’t imagine leaving empty handed!! ha!
    I loved this post.. I live near Minneapolis and grew up in Minnesota and have loved “barns on a bed of rocks” my whole life…someday I’m gonna have me one of those…. but until then, I will just adore their simplicity and their stories of life in the past.
    My husband and I traveled to Charleston last spring and absolutely fell in love with the gorgeous Spanish moss and trees down there- in fact one of our souvenirs was a framed photo of one of the largest and oldest in the area. Every time we look at it, we remember our trip and the great time we had.
    Thanks for bringing up memories of two of my loves!

    

    Reply
62. meg duerksen says:

    Mar 30, 2011 at 11:30 pm

    that picture is so cool.
    a piece of history.
    a memory captured forever…..love that.
    even seeing their clothes is so neat.
    i wonder WHY they took that picture too?

    

    Reply
63. Jacqui says:

    Mar 31, 2011 at 1:48 am

    Hi Layla,
    I think that vintage number thingy is a billiards/snooker/pool score keeper – I remember it from the billiards room at a resort my family used to go to every holidays. I had to google it to be sure and found this: http://chicago.ebayclassifieds.com/sporting-goods/chicago/vintage-billiard-pool-score-keeper-for-game-room-den-office-etc/?ad=9153929
    Love your blog

    

    Reply
64. Laurie F. says:

    Apr 6, 2011 at 3:42 pm

    Layla,
    You are just the coolest! Thanks for sharing everything! Your phots are fantastic (I love photography!), your ideas, creativity, inspiration, videos, and overall passion for all things beautiful in life! I love looking at the world through your eyes….it is what I do, too! I take my five year old with me so she can learn to appreciate architecture, design, colors, nature with me! She loves to sit on my lap as we peruse through your website, online magazine, videos, and room designs and ideas!

    I love to read success stories – I love yours!
    Thank you and keep up the great, great, great work!!!!!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Apr 6, 2011 at 6:43 pm

      What an encouraging comment! We sure do appreciate your kind words Laurie!

      

      Reply
65. Michele says:

    Apr 8, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    The wooden number thingy is a scorekeeper for snooker which is like billiards.

    

    Reply
66. Gwen says:

    May 3, 2011 at 10:51 am

    Great pictures, I also love flowers and flea markets, one of your pictures with the box made out of maps maybe my next project. Thanks again.

    

    Reply