Pam – Page 146 – New England's Narrow Road

The Junque Exchange of Deland, Florida

Getting off track a bit, but before recently moving back to New England, I lived in central Florida for over 25 years.

I had a friend in Florida who loved to go to the local antique shops, malls and fairs and she got me hooked on old things. One of our favorite places to browse was the Junque Exchange in downtown Deland. It was (at the time) run by an older couple- I believe their name was Wright, who were very friendly.

It was an amazing store because it was fairly small but held so much stuff! The tables held silverware, dishes, books, doilies and vases and the walls were lined with pictures and old photos. I can’t begin to list everything found there, but I did buy quite a few knick knacks and this one large piece of furniture.

I saw the hutch at the back of the store and fell in love with the shape of the glass doors and the overall design. I needed a place to keep my old dishes and this hutch was perfect.

Like all the other furniture it was covered and filled with glassware and other things and when I decided I wanted to buy it, believe me it was a job just getting it cleaned out and ready to go.

I can’t remember exactly what I paid for it, but it seems that it cost around $400.

That was in the 1980’s and I went back to the Junque Exchange probably 20 years later but it had changed and I didn’t get the same feeling, nor was I as impressed by the items and prices. That was the thing about the old place, the prices were very reasonable.

I don’t know who runs the place now, but apparently it’s still there since I found the links online. Deland is a nice place to visit and is home to Stetson University which has a beautiful campus at the north edge of town.

I visited the Red Pine Mountain blog recently and she had posted pictures of a hutch her husband had made which made me think of mine and to post the photo I had to write a story.

Funny, Water Loving Cat

One of our new kitties -Richie- seems to be fascinated with water. They told us at the shelter that he would always tip his water bowl over and then lay in the wet newspaper.
We’ve caught him doing some strange things.

cat paws in water — Soaking My Paws - A Favorite Way to Drink

After a long day of playing in the water, it’s nap time and the Hangman game seemed like a good choice for a bed.

Cat sleeping on Hangman game — Hangman Makes a Nice Pillow

Move over Vincent Price!

First Breakfast in January

berries and yogurt — My Favorite Breakfast

I admit that I did not take this photo this morning – January 1, 2010 – but I did eat this for breakfast as I do most mornings.

I don’t always add all the fruit – it depends on what I have in the freezer. Sometimes I have it with banana too but I always add Flax seed meal and wheat germ to my (usually) Strawberry yogurt. Both ingredients are excellent for good health and so simple to incorporate into your meals.

Here’s what I use: *Stoneyfield yogurt (a large carton to last all week) ~~ *walnuts crumbled in my fingers ~~ *semi-thawed frozen blueberries and or strawberries ~~ *Flax seed meal -a big spoonful ~~*Wheat germ – 2 big spoonfuls

I will make my son his favorite cinnamon rolls once he gets up. He’s only 12 and not into healthy eating.
~~~~ Have a wonderful first day of 2010 ~~~~

Red Barn in Winter

A couple of years ago we rented a house just outside of Concord, NH and in winter I had a partial view of this barn out behind my house.

I love to hike in the winter even though it’s a bit tricky when not following a trail or road, because you never know what lies beneath the deep snow. But the leafless trees give great views to places otherwise unseen.
I ventured out into the woods and navigated the little stream to get this shot of the red barn. It seemed like the perfect country winter photo to me.