Michigan Mitten Maps

One of the perks of living in Michigan is that you always have a Michigan map close at hand.  LOL

Last week while I was walking around the Flint Farmer's Market I found a vendor selling these cute mittens with the map of Michigan on them.  One hand has the lower peninsula and the other hand has the upper peninsula or as we here in Michigan call it "the U.P.".

 I've always been a mitten gal and prefer them over gloves. 

The mittens also came instructions on how to wear them and how to make the map.

My preferred way is to have the map on the palm side.  It's a personal preference thing.

We purchased the oak board to build another base for the antique grandfather clock that we recently acquired.  We also picked up four felt covered adjustable pads for the bottom of the base.  The felt will protect the wood floors and the adjust-ability will help us keep the clock level.  I read that it is important that the clock is level if you want it to run properly.  And a grandfather clock that doesn't run turns into a clothes rack and we already have one of those....it's called a treadmill.

Reuse Repurpose Recycle   

Antique Gustav Becker Grandfather Clock

We decided to drop in for lunch at the Flint Farmer's Market this past Thursday.  There is a restaurant there called Steady Eddie's and we always try to eat there when we visit the market.  I had a tasty ham sandwich with avocado, sprouts, and onions on sour dough bread.

The market was quite busy for a cold winter mid week day.  When they decided to move the market from the original location there were a lot of people disappointed with that decision but I can honestly say that the new location remedied the parking problem and the limited space for vendors.  We love the new market.

News flash..... Roger bought a t shirt.  He has taken that 'been there, done that, bought the t shirt' to heart.

  After we left the market we drove over to one of our favorite antique shops, Carriage Town Antiques.  We were immediately drawn to this grandfather clock. 

 It is a Gustav Becker and has recently been serviced.  It is solid oak with a great dark patina but in some areas it looks like someone tried to remove the patina.  Also when they moved the clock to the antique shop the base was damaged and a portion broke off.  This would be an easy fix except the movers didn't leave the broken piece behind.  Looks like it broke off with the grain which usually happens when a piece is dragged on the floor.  The repair will require the entire right side base piece

replaced.    

 The clock face, weights, and pendulum look like they are silver or silver plated.  The grandfather clock is stunning and we have decided to go back tomorrow and purchase it.

 Upstairs they two long rows of glass shades and glass pieces for vintage lighting.

On our way out the door we spotted this solid marble fireplace surround.  This is so beautiful and would look fantastic in our living room.  We have three fireplaces but the original living room fireplace surround was replaced before we purchased the house.  The current one is OK but this would be perfect so I asked "how much?" 10 grand.  Insert sad face here.  

We recently ordered the last window for the game room and it should be here around mid February.  The installation will be done by us and we will need to wait until the weather breaks. It takes us two days to do an install and it is a little too cold outside to try and keep out the cold temps with a tarp.

R's torn bicep is feeling a little better but he still needs to keep from doing anything heavy.   We have really been lucky with the snow this year.  We had just one heavy snowfall of about 5 inches and all the rest have been 1 or 2 inches.  Daytime temps have been in the 30's which helps to melt the snow and keep the total accumulation down to a couple of inches on the ground.  Fingers crossed that it stays that way for the next month or so. 

Reuse Repurpose Recycle