What an overwhelming trip to Alabama I just had! (In a good way.)
To set the stage a bit, I got a text a few months ago from Layla of The Lettered Cottage, asking if I’d be interested in coming to Alabama for a “little” antique market. Tempting…but it’s a long way. 860 miles to be exact. I sort of tucked the idea on the shelf of things that I would like to do, but probably won’t out of practicality. I knew the answer would be no, but I thought I would ask my husband, anyway. So, I did. And, after some discussion and weighing everything out, he said yes! Really?! I texted Layla right away to let her know we were in.
Fast forward to last Thursday…our van and trailer were packed with furniture, lavender, boxwood wreaths, scales, typewriters, ironstone and all kinds of goodness. We left at 4:00 in the morning, because my husband is one of those weird people who can wake up really early without being grouchy, and drove it all in one shot. I am not one of those people, so I rolled out of bed and slept until Roanoke, VA. I was like an old lady with my pillow and lap blanket.
On the other end of our long drive, we had the absolute privilege of staying in the “Chapel Hill Loft”, a cute apartment over a garage.
It was such a lovely and quaint place and just a quick one minute walk from the “Chapel” where the market was held. Here are some pictures Kevin and Layla took of the place…
You can see the full photo shoot HERE.
We got a good night sleep and started unpacking the van and trailer and staging our space the next morning. We weren’t 30 minutes into the unpacking before I spotted this beauty coming out of Mary/Urban Farmgirl’s van…
(Photo by Urban Farmgirl)
I had to have a “look me in the eye” moment with my husband to let him know there was no way that cabinet was going home with anyone but me. I’ve been searching for the perfect piece for my foyer and this is it. I can’t wait to get it in place and fill it with ironstone. Eeeeeeeeee! I also bought a couple of other things and I’ll show them to you later.
The event itself was awesome! So many amazing people came out to shop, hug, chat, hang out. I know this picture is blurry, but I love it anyway. This is me hugging Linda of Coastal Charm. We’ve been peer bloggers since I was first itty-bitty, so it was great to give her a huge hug. (Thanks for sharing this picture with me, Linda!)
Some readers even came just to help! Cara from Little Golden Fox came all the way from Indiana to help me set up my space on Friday and check people out the day of the sale.
We’ve “known” each other through the blog world for a long time and she recently became a MMSMP retailer! It was so great to get to know her in real life and she was a big blessing to me. We would have been up the creek without her, that’s for sure! Sue from The Blue Building, one of my other readers jumped in to help write up tickets as well. It was a HUGE help and they both did it without asking for anything in return.
We were bombarded the first few hours of the sale. I sold out of books, lavender, boxwood, ironstone and scales! By the end of the day, I sold every stick of furniture and just had a small pile of things to take home.
There was one kink in the day. On Friday, I stepped out of the van to take this picture…
…and I stepped right in a hill of fire ants. Now, I haven’t lived south of the Mason Dixon line for seven years, so I didn’t even think to watch for that sort of thing. I felt the stings, saw the ants on my legs and immediately sat on the ground, removed my shoes and wiped off the rest of the ants. Fortunately, I was only bitten twice, once on each ankle. Unfortunately, I have an allergy to fire ants. It’s not so severe that it affects my breathing or anything like that, but I really swell up. I was fearing this as I shooed the ants (I ended up on crutches for a couple of days in high school when I was bitten three times on one leg), but there was only a little swelling. Okay, whew! Maybe this variety of fire ant isn’t as potent. (My husband later pointed out that I stepped on their home and he would bite me, too, if I stepped on his house. Fair point.)
So, the next day as I’m signing books, making sales and meeting people, my ankles start to really hurt. I finally sat down after a few hours and pulled my pant leg up. My ankle, part of my foot, shin and calf were huge and bright red!
(I know everyone wants to pin this picture. You know you do. “Gross ant bite & love the chucks.”)
I had to laugh a little, because I had “cankles” (calf-ankles) and that word always makes me laugh. (I’m even laughing as I write this.) My husband again looked at the bright side of things and pointed out that at least they weren’t “thankles” (thigh-ankles.) Another fair point.
So, I was a drama queen and people brought me creams and Benedryl and a frozen rice pack and essential oils and I sat with my feet propped up. It all felt so silly over a couple of ant bites, but all of the southerners knew those are no joke. While I’m on the topic of southerners, I would be totally rude if I didn’t mention how delightful and hospitable the neighborhood was to us. They helped with set up, brought us food, brought me socks filled with frozen rice and even shopped from us…and all of this when an Auburn football game was on.
At the end of the day, we packed up the few things that were left, gave a round of hugs and hit the road. We were up a little later than we hoped thanks to the Clemson/Florida game (all of the hotels were booked), but we did get some rest in North Carolina and finished the drive today.
When I got that text from Layla a few months ago, I really didn’t know what to expect. Now that I’m on the other side of the event, I can say it was a blast and worth while and, ant bites and all, I’m really glad I went.
(Photo courtesy of Rhoda of Southern Hospitality)
See I knew you would sell every stick of your wonderful furniture! I wanted to be there so bad, but as I had written before I had to have foot surgery so had to cancel my plans. I thought about y’all all day yesterfday. I sure hope Layla has one next year and you are there! Thank you for staying up late to give us the recap. I know it was so much fun (other than your ant bite) and that you are also tired. Rest up! Hugs.
So is the Chapel Market an annual or semi-annual event? And will you go back?
We don’t know, yet. That’s really up to Layla and the Pike Road community. My husband said we would come back if they do it next year, though!
I can hardly bear that you were that close and I couldn’t make it! Next year I will come and be on ant patrol!
It was so great to meet you in person. I had NO idea you were sporting “ant bite cankles” while I chatted on. Dear gussy, you were a trouper! And all that after such a ride followed by meeting and greeting such a crowd. Thank you for using your talent to inspire so many. Also please tell Jeff that I really appreciate him navigating through the crowd to look for me the “one almost last book”. That was sweet of him and I appreciated his extra effort. You both are blessings to many. Much Love! Jan
Would’ve loved to have been there. You were indeed in a beautiful area in AL. I have driven through there on the way to the beach many times. Next year!
It was a pleasure meeting you and your sweet husband! I never dreamed in a million years I’d ever get to meet you in person. Thank you for being so gracious and for always sharing your talents with us. I am sure these qualities are the secrets to your success. Wishing for continued blessings for you and your family!
Peace,
Debbie
Marian,
Ahhhh…our sweet “hug”pic!!! Thanks so much for sharing it with all your readers. So sorry to hear about those bad ant bites.
Blessings,
Linda
I was so looking forward to coming…meeting you and seeing your beautiful creations up close is on my bucket list! Hotel reservations made weeks and weeks in advance. As luck would have it, my daughter was asked to Homecoming and this was the weekend. I have to admit I did hesitate about cancelling my trip…after all, there will be more dances, won’t there? This may be my only chance to see Miss Mustard Seed–she may never come back to Alabama again! The good mommy in me won out (I only pouted a little bit) and I stayed home to see her at her very first Homecoming dance. Of course this only means I will have to make a road trip to the Luckett’s Fair! Congratulations Marian, I knew you would be a hit. And congrats also on your big score with the old dental cabinet…super cool! Y’all come back anytime! 😉
Ditto to everything Debbie said above..it was so nice to meet you and your husband! The market was great and we all hope you come back to the south again!! (Sorry to hear about the ants )
You brought some fabulous goodies for us to take home :). LOVE the dental cabinet you got and can’t wait to see it featured on your blog..
Wendy Pirtle
Mississippi
I’m so glad your sale was successful. I love the dental cabinet ! Can’t wait to see it filled.
I feel your pain on the ant bites. When I was five I sat on an ant hill. I had a severe reaction and had to be rushed to the ER. I’m 36 now and I still remember it vividly.
It was such a delight, everything, you, your husband and all of your lovely things! Thank you both so much for coming so far to share, I do hope this becomes a yearly event! Every time I look at my “new” things I bought from you I shall remember what a fun and exciting day it was!
Ditto to everything above (I have scars from two fire ant bites on my ankles!) AND you are looking amazing! Vibrant and beautiful.
Marian…it was a great pleasure to help you on Saturday! I had such a blast being part of your “entourage”. Consider me your “resident” Alabama assistant. Feel free to call any time. Thanks for the experience!
I love these posts about you and your people!! They make me smile and think about the mutual blessings that can happen via social media, if we work hard to make them blessings!!
I love that you and your husband spent time together, that he’s such a supporter and can offer perspective and humor. I love your “voice” in this post and I will say it again….you’ve got great talent, modesty and humility in the hows and whys you got started. Keep doing the Chapel Hills, keep hugging those social media connections, keep laughing at your husband’s perspective and insight!
Aug!!!!! I feel for you and the ant bites. I got 14 on one ankle last summer, I had to do a round of month long steroids and other stuff. So bad. Glad you had a great market though.
I’m not sure if you heard the news up in your part of the country but we just had a 13 year old boy die from an unknown ant allergy from bites received during a school football game. Now the district is requiring all the schools to have Epi Pens on the sidelines. Poor boy. Glad you’re ok!
Oh, that is so sad!
I still can’t believe that the royalty of blogdom were all in one place in my little corner of the world! Thank you, thank you, thank you for making the long trip to be a part of this event, and I do hope that Chapel Market happens again next year . . . and very year!
Oh Marian, so glad it was a success, ant bites and all! But, hey , that pic of the cupola was fabulous! And also, thanks for making me glad I have cankles and not thankles, whew!! Standard joke in our house is my cankles, it’s hereditary! so I’m told….. Can’t wait to see what you do with that apothecary cabinet!!
You are looking amazingly fit, Marian, pretty inspirational I think! P90X?
I PRAY you come back next year!!!! Something came up and we weren’t able to come and I was so distraught I almost cried-twice. Ok ok, maybe there were actually a few tears! :/ Hope to see you next year!!! 😀
So sorry to hear about the nasty ant bites! It was an honor to meet you and have you sign my book! It was funny that when I told you my name….you thought I has said Leanne instead of Lynn, but down south some one syllable words come out as two, Ly-un! I hope they have the market next year and I will be back! Blessing to you!
It was so fabulous to meet you, purchase some things from your booth and enjoy The Chapel Market. My daughter and I drove 11 hours and it was so amazing, thanks for your participation and for Layla having the incredible idea. Hope the ant bites are better.
I’m a blog reader and love blogs involving home improve and decorating,family and Christian’ s trying to bring God into even those parts of our lives. You and others have blessed so many of us by sharing your testimonies and talents. Thank you! I”m 57(ugh!) and ya’ll inspire me to get up and try new things. Beyond thrilled to meet you and actually bring some “Miss Mustard Seed” goodness home. I love my ironstone sugar bowl and hand painted PEACE banner. Thank you for all the work and time you took to come to Alabama! Ruth
P. S. I fight the ants all spring and summer. I should buy stock in “Ortho”!!
I enjoyed meeting you! I have posted on the event and got several nice pictures of you with Linda, too. I can’t wait to show off what I got from your lovely booth–zinc tags, a small piece of ironstone and my favorite–a camera!
Thank you for coming down all the way to Alabama–it made my birthday weekend special!
Marsha
This all sounds so fun!
Just a note about the ant bites……..so sorry you were dealing with this. The old remedy for insect bites is a tobacco poultice. (That’s why God really put tobacco on the earth!) That’s right – pipe tobacco moistened with a little water and applied right on the bites. You cover it with some gauze and tape. It’s best to put it on right after the bite.
We have never been tobacco users in our family, but we always had a tin of Prince Albert tobacco in the medicine cabinet for this very purpose. (My mom was from NC.)
Hope you never deal with this again, but if you do – this is the ticket. 🙂
Marion, congratulations on a successful market! Sorry about the ants, though. Do you ever share who you buy the lavender and boxwood through? I’ve been looking for good vendors for both for my next monthly market. Would love some tips on who to look at for those! Thanks. Julie
Love, Love, Love the dental cabinet. I am jealous!! lol
You will give it tender loving care and offer a good home. Enjoy!!
Looks like an amazing time and I’m glad to here it was a success. Hope your ankles are feeling better. 🙂
I’m so sorry about the ant bites!!!!!
But I’m happy you had a great trip!!!
I am a big fan of a lot of people in this picture!!!
So nice to see you all together!!!
Can’t wait to see the cabinet full of ironstone!
Xoxo
Claudine
Hey Marian, I was glad to meet you, and, I am enjoying the awesome smelling chucks of soap I bought from you. Take care! Rhonda
What an adventure! Love that dental cabinet ~ here’s to Sweet Home Alabama!
I so wish I could have been there! I hope there is a “next time!” So sorry about the ants! They can be pesky here in the South! Life to the full! Melissa
Marian,
So, so sorry about the fire ant bites. They are just little boogers and they sting llike “FIRE”! Welcome to Alabama. It was great seeing you. I loved your new haircut. You look amazing! Really wanted to buy your spool of brown velveteen ribbon, but I was so intimidated by the line that I just gave up.
In light of the situation you might have to rename them cantkles! 😉 glad you had a great trip minus those pesky ants.
I can totally relate to the ant bite drama! I am allergic to mosquito stings. All it takes is just one on a forearm and the area swells up big, hard and painful. There I am at a picnic and my family and friends are looking at me like I’m crazy with the ice packs and asprin and Popeye arm. Thank goodness, we live in a arid area and so most of the summer it’s not a problem.
I am so happy I got to meet you. You are such an inspiration in everything you do. I’m so proud of my autographed book and it is on display in our family room and I’m anxious to try out my first attempt at using your milk paint.
I am looking forward to the “name the cow” contest, (I have a few in mind), and your “yard work” reveal. Keep those wonderful posts coming.
I’m so glad you were able to make it too!! I got to meet you and have my picture taken with you. I was so super excited to meet probably the first blogger I ever started following. You were charming a gracious and your booth was amazing. I loved seeing the furniture that you brought and had just blogged about! So sorry about the ant bites that itching lasts for days unfortunately. Hope you feel better soon.
Sounds like the trip was a good one. Love that little piece of furniture you picked up! Ants and mosquitoes are our neighbors down here in Texas; however, I would be just fine if they moved out 🙂 Glad your trip went well. I enjoy reading about your adventures!
Sounds like a very successful event, minus the ant bites. I am glad you did so well and you had extra hands to help you 🙂
Marian… So happy that the show was a big success for you. I cant wait to see that dental cabinet in your home. Sorry you came back with some battle scars from the fire ants and hopefully your leg is doing better. It seems the further south you go the worst they are. They are really bad at my in-laws house in Mississippi and I learned to be very careful when we visit.
Wish I could’ve been there to shop from you! Do you ever sell your boxwood wreaths in your online shop?
O man, I have been looking for a cabinet like that , I am so jealous!!! if you get sick of it let me know! lol
thanks for the shout out and thanks for blessing me with a great opportunity to be inspired while surrounded by all my favs. this girl is ready to move some mountains at Little Golden Fox. btw my feedsack is treasured and looks beautiful in my home. blessings!!!
Marian, What a thrill it was to meet you in person at the Chapel this weekend. You are even more adorable and sweet in person. I bought my daughter, an English major, the cool old typewriter you had. She just loved it! I hope you get to come back this way again. (Next time you’ll be prepared for those sorry fire ants!) Blessings to you and your family.
Angie from Pensacola
I still haven’t found any ironstone in my area, would love for you to put some of your extra on your online shop! We do have those awful fire ants here and they do me the same way! I can empathize with your discomfort!
Looked like so much fun! I have to say your space looked a-maz-ing! So glad it was a success. So sorry about the red ants. Gosh, I’m an east coast girl so I’ve never heard of them before. Is it all better now?
Sorry about the fire ant episode…that is not much fun! Can’t wait to see how you style your new piece. Glad your trip went well for you! After my first trip to AL this past summer, I’ve determined that is my new favorite ‘picking’ state. I just wish it weren’t so far away. So, I can’t remember if I’ve left a comment regarding this before or not, but every time I see this artist’s work, I intend to tell you about her. She is ‘rachellelevingston’ on Etsy. Her style of art always reminds me of you. I am not affiliated with her in any way, except that I have purchased the pumpkin picture from her. Just thought you might want to take a look, if you ever get a free minute.
In the end it’s always about the people you meet, get to know, make friends with, learn from.
In our short time of going to out of area craft shows when we lived in MT and KY the part I loved the best was meeting people from other areas, other ideas and ways, but we’re all human beings and caring about each other is what counts. When I used to go with hubs in his work truck we met so many people from all over the US and some of Canada. I miss all that so much. He used to tease me, ask me if anybody is a stranger, my reply was “not unless they want to be”. It’s such a heartening experience meeting people and realizing good people are all over this world and we’re so lucky to get to meet them. Happy days
So glad you had a wonderful show Marian. I am sorry you stepped on that ant hill, but I am glad that you didn’t get “ants in your pants!” I had the misfortune of getting over 50 chigger bites this summer and I wish they hadn’t made it past my ankles! Forward march to those tight elastic areas! Whew! Wish there was an enticing show to lure you to Kentucky!
So wonderful to meet you and get my signed copy of your book. The market was awesome!!!! I sooooo hope you all make it an annual event!!!! I live in Auburn, so it was a treat to have all of you that I follow so religiously in my “back door”. It was worth standing in line in the misting rain and missing a good portion of the Auburn game (and it was an AUesome one) to shop and visit with you all. Great start to my Fall Break!!! 🙂
Oh what a find with that cabinet! My parents had an ANTIQUE STORE for over 20 years in Olde Towne Arvada , Co. Yes I caught the bug somehow too. No store for me, ….yet…. Lol. Your hubby sounds very sweet but also a good sense of humor! Saw that new apron string piece in that picture 🙂 loving that color!!!! Oh…..the possibilities I dream of with that color, layering , waxing ( wax on wax off? Lol ) dark waxing, white washed!!!!! Rock on MMS!
I saw that cabinet in the parking lot and made myself a mental note to get it as soon as it hit the floor. As a dentist, I really appreciated its charm and history. But l severely underestimated the wiles of a woman on a mission. So I missed out on that cabinet, a windmill, and a bank of old gym lockers…all lost to the shopping skills of the fairer sex. All of you know who you are. But I’ll be prepared next time.
Thanks for the great post. Made my morning start out with a chuckle, the word Thankles made a chuckle pop right out of my mouth without me evening realizing it. Hehe, but at the same time I feel for you. Sorry you got bit. I know how that is with bug bites but for me it is bees. I got stung once on my forearm when riding a motorcycle and ended up with elephantitis arm up to my elbow. it was such a site. LOL. Anywho, sounds like you had a great time despite it all and I am glad I got to share it too even thou I am way out here in WI. Someday maybe I will meet you in person. I love reading your blog and you are so inspiring. Hugs have a wonderful day!
Michelle
HI Marion, I really loved seeing the photos from Chapel Market. Do you have a directory of similar events? I would love to visit one in the New England area. Come see us!
Glad you had a great time! I drove ten hours to
be there! Unfortunately, everything was mostly
gone by the time we got there but I had a blast
looking at the homes! It was nice seeing y’all!
I hated to hear about your ant bites. My oldest
daughter has the same reaction as you-however
when the swelling does go down it leaves bad
bruising!
So sad to have missed this. I’m the one you met last March in Atlanta at the 2 day event that threw the birthday cake party for my mom during the book signing portion, remember? Anyway, I so wanted to come but my little cul-de-sac had a yardsale and I probably ended up getting rid of as much as you did. (Jump, high 5) so even though I missed getting to buy a whole bunch of your ironstone, it was worth cleaning out my garage.
As for the fire ants, next time (hopefully, there won’t be a next time BUT) tape pennies to your bites as soon as you can. It will draw out the poison and leave hardly a mark. Yes, you’ll walk around with pennies on your body for a couple of days but it’s worth every ‘penny’. Couldn’t help myself…heehehe. My oldest had 30 something bites on each leg and my mother in law told me to do this so we tried a leg with and a leg with Benadryl topical and the pennies won out, and have ever since.
So happy ALABAMA and the South has welcomed you with open arms. Can’t wait till you come back.
Love that you woke up when you reached Roanoke. That’s my hometown! Sorry you couldn’t sidetrack and drive all the way into downtown, but I know how those hurry up and get there trips can be. Sorry about the fire ants, haven’t had the pleasure ( I say that sarcastically) but my poor brother had that experience in SC visiting my Mom. Good to hear the show went well! Loved seeing all the pics of your space.