Pickin' in Massachusetts

We are back from our week long vacation in Massachusetts and I need a vacation!

Fenway Gardens is an area in the heart of Boston where residents can rent a
plot for $30 a year to have their own garden.

 I went with high expectations of picking at flea markets, browsing at dozens of quaint antique stores, walks on the pier and lobster rolls.

Three out of four ain't bad! We had just missed one of the biggest flea markets in the area in Brimfield <sigh>

We arrived late Saturday in Southbridge, a small town about an hour from Boston. Sunday we drove to Boston and spent the day at Fenway Park for a Red Sox game. I never saw any flea markets or tag sales (as they call our yard/garage sales) on the way or over the weekend. Monday we headed out on our "down" day to find some places for me to pick.

Everything was closed! I knew that! Or I should have.

It wasn't until Thursday when we stopped at an antique barn sale that the pickin' began.

 

I found these two great framed photographs and had a fun chat with a local antique dealer, full Boston accent and all! He gave me a great deal on them after I told him that I sell on Etsy and can't afford his prices and then resell them.

 



 

He gave us a great tip on where more antique stores were and several great restaurants that we could sit outdoors to eat. We had to travel to Putnam, CT though! It was only about a half hour away.

 

It was worth the drive to find a flea market/antique store there. One of the booths was 70% off as the owner was in her 80's and was retiring from the business. I found this great Bakelite vanity set....

 

 

this cute rose chintz upholstered doll couch....

 

 

and this Lincoln bank bottle from the 1950's.

 

 

 



We ate at a restaurant that had a patio in the back within a few feet of the railroad tracks. We asked the waitress if a train ever went by and she said once in a while and maybe we'd get lucky. We did! It swooshed right by our table.

 

 

Friday, August 7th was my son's 17th birthday......the reason we headed to Massachusetts to begin with. He is a huge basketball fan and the Basketball Hall of Fame is in Springfield, Mass. We spent a whole day there and then he got to go to the gift shop for his birthday gifts.

 

 

 

On his birthday we had dinner at a great Italian restaurant....pasta just like I make! One of the antique stores that was closed earlier in the week was across the street and now open. I politely asked if we could please, please, pretty please go through it after dinner. Knowing what a bad pickin' time I had already had, he said yes. I found these great reproduction antique set of keys made of cast iron in the shape of animals. There is a rabbit, elephant, tiger, and horse. Keepers!

 

 

I also found this cute toy telephone with a working dial. I think it may be bakelite.

 



 

 At the end of our trip we stopped in Stockbridge, MA (think Norman Rockwell and The Red Lion Inn) and Great Barrington, two quaint New England towns with plenty of gift shops, restaurants and country stores. I found one antique shop and couldn't believe my eyes when I spied this late 1800's gathering basket. It was priced at $12.

 

 

When I looked inside I realized why....

 

 

But I didn't care! It is a great example of a hand woven basket with hand carved splints and the handle that is chiseled to fit down in between the weaves just so. The basket next to it, without any breaks, was $165. Another treasure for me!

 

Some other highlights of our trip.....

 

Fenway Park with it's old fashioned charm. They played Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" during the game.

 

 

After the game, a street performer playing his "drums" which were old plastic buckets and a metal cover. He was fabulous.

 

 

The L.L. Bean boot mobile.....

 

 

 

Quincy Market where we had a Lobstah Roll.





 

 

Room for dessert?

 

 





 The Wharf at Boston Harbor

 

 

And dinner at Le Galleria Italian Restaurant where we had a street side table and a delicious Italian seafood dinner in Boston's Little Italy.

 



 

We had perfect weather, great meals, great sights and a memory making trip for my son. Oh, and I did get some pickin' in.

 

What more could you ask for in a vacation?

 

AnnMarie xoxo

 

I will be sharing with these great blog parties:

 

Amaze Me Monday

Show and Share

Make It Pretty Monday

Thrifty and Vintage Finds Link Party

Roses of Inspiration

Let's Talk Vintage

Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party

Vintage Inspiration Party

What's It Wednesday

Home and Garden Thursday

 Share Your Cup Thursday

Best of the Weekend

Anything Blue Friday

Pink Saturday