The Big Canton Adventure

We got home from our Big Canton Adventure just in time for the Superbowl to hit the airwaves.  Actually, we got home on Saturday night, but I fell instantly to sleep and when I woke up everyone on Facebook and Twitter was talking about Madonna and the football game.  None of which I had any interest in.  All the while my little family was happily playing with toys and talking about our schedule for the month…..unaware of the whirlwind of activity going on in the rest of the world.

The flea market must have been affected by the big game because it was practically deserted.  The vendors were there, but the shoppers didn’t show up.  It was nice for us since we never had to wait in a line or fight a crowd, but I felt sorry for the sellers.  Who would buy all of their wonderful wares?

I Tweeted all weekend, which was a new experience for me.  I took pictures of weird things that one wouldn’t normally want a photo of, like a man with a dog in a stroller and a carving of an eagle that was 12 feet tall. I kept wondering, who is going to buy an enormous eagle?

When we arrived I snapped a shot….ready to shop!

There were a BUNCH of new things this year.  It had a fresh feeling, not the same old stuff.  All my faves: burlap, chicken wire, rust, flaking paint….it was everywhere.

We saw at least 5 vendors selling big wooden letters.  They had all shapes and fonts.  I got these…..I already have several ideas and am wondering if I should have gotten more.

I wish I didn’t tire out so quickly, but it was a good excuse to sit and have some lunch, flea market style.

A couple of older ladies sat with us for lunch.  The conversation was going great until one of them asked Faith about school and we said we homeschool.  Her back went straight and her feathers all stood on end, “I was a school teacher for 35 years and if you ask me the schools are doing just fine.  Homeschooling is what is wrong with this country.”  I didn’t ask her, but that’s OK.  I just smiled and pretended to be sweet.  I said, “I’ll bet you were a great teacher and your students miss you.”  She relaxed a little and we just went back to talking about good deals on jewelry.  Whew!  Old lady fight averted.

It was a really restful, fun weekend for Faith and I.  We talked for hours and enjoyed the outdoors.  We found lots of goodies and wore ourselves out.

Instead of watching the Superbowl, we unloaded our things and put them in my bedroom, which had been clean until then.  Almost all of it is for future projects.

I did move the huge rusty hook on the floor.  I don’t want anyone to impale themselves before I get around to cleaning it up.

Little by little I will show you what I bought and what I am going to do with it.  Right now, as you can see, it’s still a pile of junk.

I will get it all put away during the afternoons this week.  I have to spend my mornings destroying the country by homeschooling my children.

Have a great week!

19 Comments

  1. My friends and I do a yearly Canton trip and it’s one of my favorite places! I recognize a few of the spots in your pictures. Looks like you found some great treasures!

  2. AHAHAHA! “Destroying the country…”. Please.

    Thanks for sharing that story, I can always use tips on how to lovingly avoid a fight regarding something I am passionate about!

    Can’t wait to see what you create!

  3. Good for you, Lisa, avoiding the old lady fight! 🙂

    What a fun weekend for you and your daughter! I wish Canton were closer, I’d go in a heartbeat! I need to do some refreshing of the household decor!

    I am going to start in the bathroom! Time to change out the red!

  4. OH! I’m so glad we’ve finally found out what is wrong with this country! What a relief to know that we can fix everything by forcing all children to attend public school… 😉

  5. i laughed out loud at your homeschooling/destroying the country comment! O dear sweet old retired teacher from the flea market, bless your heart…

  6. Randi, I’ll bet you recognize the place called simplicity used to be Paul Michael. We went down the street to the new Paul Michael too and got some good stuff!

    Deanna, I’m just about the paint over the last of the red in my house. It’s time to go. Get that bathroom start girl and we will cheer you on!

    Jul, you are so right. I love that, bless her heart. Perfect!

    Lisa~

  7. Oh Boy, I know I wouldn’t have been so gracious to her. Well, I will do my part too, to destroy the country.

  8. It looks like y’all had an amazing time!!!! 😀 Thank the Lord for people who are “destroying the country”!

    Oh my word! What a terrible thing to say! That was totally a God moment because if you hadn’t said that I’m sure her opinion would have just become worse. oppertnunities…. 🙂
    Bless her heart. She must have a had a bad experience or maybe she reads to much news and doesn’t get out enough?? 🙂

  9. Wow! What a classy and graceful example you set for your daughter and all us young homeschooling mothers. I pray I could be as kind and humble as you in a similar situation. Enjoy your week of destruction;)

    Amy

  10. Lisa,
    Can’t wait to see all of your treasures and how you use them!
    My daughter and I love “fleaing” together.
    Also, would loooove to know the last time, Miss Retired School Teacher, was in the class room….
    Cuz….I’m pretty sure, she would agree, it ain’t what it used to be.
    Shhhh.
    Don’t tell her I said ain’t AND I teach my kids at home. :0)

  11. Paul Michael’s my fav. Now carry on destroying the country and all. Ha! That made me laugh out loud!

  12. Ahh, one of the blessings of being a quick thinker. I know there are times when quick thinking leads to quick talking which leads to apologies, but it does have its good side also! Better than just sitting with your jaw on the floor, and waking up in the middle of the night, finally, with the right thing to say!

  13. Okay, first of all, I’m totally drooling over your flea market. Our flea markets are, well, just downright sad. They’re actually swap meets. Ugh.

    Secondly, well done with the old-teacher-lady. Grace for the moment, right? It’s a good thing that I’m now aware that I’m destroying our country and my children all at the same time. It will give them something to tell their therapists.

  14. I laughed out loud at reading your post! We pulled our kids out of public and they go to a private christian school. We are so glad we did, although sometimes I would like to home school to be with them more. I guess I’m just fearful that I wouldn’t do a good enough job! I’m impressed that you were so gracious with the retired school teacher. Found your blog via the Shabby Chic Cottage – I’m your newest follower! 🙂

  15. Seriously, she said that? I have no words ….and that isn’t because I homeschool and my vocabulary is limited 🙂 Looks like ya’ll had a great time. We do not have flea markets like that in Arkansas.

  16. oh, what a fun time it sounds – glad you didn’t make the news by decking an old lady. Can’t wait to see what you do with your junk!

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