Funny Picture of the Week

I never hesitate to poke fun of Aaron's plant friends. This is a very successful VP in a plant society that shall remain unnamed (as will the person even though is name is actually pretty funny, too). Don't want to have this pulled up when googled! I have never seen him in public without Dickies and a tee-shirt washed to the point of disintegration (this one had a cactus on it!). The Dickies tucked into gray socks and women's LPGA hat were a new addition! I was unable to make it to this field trip but Aaron and I enjoyed reviewing this pic.

Flea Market Finds - Atlanta, GA

As promised, a look at our flea market experience in Atlanta. I HIGHLY recommend a trip to the Scott Antique Market/Flea Market. The prices are great and there is no junk, just antiques and imported goods. We didn't even make it to the 2nd building! Probably a good thing! Take a look if you are interested. Aaron has a meeting back in Atlanta in August so I think we'll find ourselves back here!


Mom haggling for a handpainted lamp.



















We barely set foot in the market when I found this framed peacock painting w/ Chinese clasp and it was a STEAL!! I love peacocks for some reason. We had one growing up for a little while and I remember being both terrified and fascinated by it.

I also love foo dogs since we have 2 Asian pups of our own now. I have the concrete set on porch as well as turquoise and cream porcelain ones but this is my first pair of gold ones. They are very heavy and were an amazing price to start out with and the guy knocked off 1/2 the price just for asking!







We bought these 2 Asian Calligraphy brushes from a man who looked like Johnny Cash. He was trying to make Aaron a deal on a deadly looking machete but luckily we just settled on these. They are made of jade. Almost as pretty as Nate Berkus' photo underneath!







We FINALLY found an inexpensive but attractive mirror for our powder room. I love the Greek key pattern. We were told it was a federal mirror. It weighs a ton despite its smallish size.










One of Aaron's purchases. We have this in our bathroom by the tub. He also bought an old wooden bucket to make a fountain in our backyard as well as an antique porcelain wash tub w/ stand to hold iced beers for get togethers under pergola.

Hotlanta, GA

Last weekend Aaron and I met my mom in Atlanta to show her the city and do some home shopping, botanical garden admiring and Southern food eating - our favorite things to do. It was a HOT weekend for sure and we kept a very busy schedule as you can see from the pics below. The above shot is from The Glenn Hotel, our favorite hotel in downtown Atlanta. It is close to everything and makes you feel cooler and hipper than you really are. As you can see, the downstairs bar is gorgeous and makes for a very swanky late night hangout.

An interesting shot of me in front of the skyline on the rooftop bar. This is a great perk of the hotel as well. There are big sectional couches and tables with a bar to hang out around and listen to fun 80's music like Duran Duran and the Police. When the sun went down it was actually breezy and nice - a great summer night.


(Below) A trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden is always a must for us. They have a great orchid selection and do a phenomenal job with their beds and container gardens. The crepe myrtles and hydrangeas were in full bloom.

(Below) the formal gardens outside the conservatory

(Below) Me admiring a hydrangea

(Below) Mom and I couldn't resist!

(Below) Dekalb Farmer's Market - aka Aaron's Paradise. This was probably the highlight of the trip for Aaron. This is an awesome indoor market that has food literally from all parts of the world. It was so interesting to watch people from different cultures shop and examine their shopping carts! Aaron clearly enjoyed all of the tropical fruits and unusual vegetables (see him below with the world's largest okra!) . We purchased some interesting wines and spices as well as 3 different kinds of coconuts and machete-like spears of Aloe Vera. Aaron plans to make beverages out of them!

Pretties in pink... Mom and Aaron admiring a very large spiky fruit called a durian (?). According to Aaron they smell like dead flesh. Yum. I see why they did not take off in this country. We did not manage to get a picture of me getting busted by the Farmer's Market Police eating a sesame candy I had not yet paid for. He was undercover and nailed me! I wonder how they determine who gets the Farmer's Market beat. Is that a promotion or demotion?

Stay tuned for pics of our finds from the Scott Antique Market. What a blast!