A little "after Christmas" shopping...minus the mall...

Today, my family trekked up to Milton to shop at Goodrich Antiques Mall. Milton is just a quick 30 minutes up I-90 from Roscoe--easy to get to, easy to find. Terry Williamson runs the joint...and what a joint it is. If you've never been, Milton used to be the home of the once private Milton College, founded in 1844 as the Milton Academy, it closed in 1982. Its campus is now part of the Milton Historic District.

The College was founded as the Milton Academy (high school) by a group of early Milton settlers, including Milton House owner Joseph Goodrich; hence the name of Terry's store. Of course, as usual, I forgot my camera, so this photo is off the internet. This is what you see when you pull into the property. Terry's store is the furthest back building--Goodrich Hall.

She offers two floors of more antiques than you can count--glassware and china to hutches and buffets--and everything in between. I actually drove there today with the intent to purchase this coat:

However, we ended up talking so much to Terry that I totally forgot to try it on, let along buy it! I guess I'll have to make another trip! But here's what I did buy:

 The Wonder Book of Bible Stories--perfect for my Christmas decor. Shown here on my buffet along with the vintage crucifix I bought a few weeks ago in Rockton.

 Many of you know that my husband is of Mexican decent, so we tend to collect bric-a-brac that reminds of his heritage. The set of four Mariachi players was hard to pass up! Aren't they darling?

 I love vintage books of any kind...but when they scream my name, I just have to buy them! Nobody has ever called me "Lady Ann"--but I kind of like it!

 You know how you buy one or two of something, and the next thing you know you have a collection! That's how it's been with vintage cameras. I can't even remember where I got the first three, but now I have five!!!! These two are great...and look good on my table. I also collect vintage binoculars!

I'm always a sucker for vintage snowy, cabin prints. This one is called "After the Snowstorm" and is a Currier and Ives. I love it sitting next to my snowman and sparkly trees from The Empty Attic in Rock City.

Then, when all the purchases were made, we had a really special treat. Terry invited us up to her 3rd floor home in Goodrich Hall! Holy cow--I'm so jealous. I could move in with her tomorrow. Room after room filled with fabulous, unique pieces of antique buffets, dressers, hutches and cabinets. Each filled with gorgeous glassware, collections, jewelry, and statuaries. All so lovely. Her front living room is to die for...her husband removed the plaster to expose the original brick wall. Stunning! Simply stunning! Again, because I couldn't remember to grab my camera, I hiested these two photos are from the internet:

 This is the first floor of the antique shop. And the photo below is of Terry's living room, with the exposed brick wall.

There are several other shops in the area: Patty's Plants; Red Rooster at The Old Junction Mill; the historic Milton House Museum and Tours; and Northleaf Winery & Bistro! Forget about returning your Christmas gifts to the mall...grab your girlfriends and hit the road this weekend to get yourself a new "old" gift in Milton, Wisconsin!

Over the river and through the woods...

This morning I had to deliver a boy scout wreath to my good friend Judy Holley at The Empty Attic (facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Empty-Attic/274494759256150?sk=wall). So, I hopped in the car--and guess who had to come along with me?--you got it--my dog Macy. If you haven't noticed by now, she's in almost every photo I take for my barn sale. She's glued to my side...and she loves to ride in the car to get "wind in her snout"! Now, if you've never been to the Empty Attic, it's a must stop for your girlfriend outing. It's only 20 minutes west of Rockton. Straight out Rt. 75/Freeport Road past Macktown Golf Course...and just keep going...past Durand, through Davis, and then one left turn on Eggert Road. Real easy. Real fun. Really cool cottage stuff.

"Where did you say we were going?"

The best thing about the drive, well.........is the drive. Gorgeous views, calm easy straight road with brand new blacktop...past beautiful farmland, trees, and pretty sunsets. 

Now, either going or coming back, you should make a pit stop at Country Cheese in Davis. She has wonderful, yummy cheese, soup, and sandwiches. Oh yeah, and ice cream! 

"So, how much longer? Are there any mice, squirrels or cats to play with at her house?"

Judy also lives on the property. She and her husband built their dream home about six years ago. A fabulous two story log home, soaring fireplace all the way up, huge windows that look out over their acreage, log walls, hickory floors, fab cabinets, and of course because she's in retail, it's jammed with really cool lodge decor! It's like always being on vacation when you're there!  Here's a quick taste of her home--she has the biggest collection of vintage Christmas decor I've ever seen. This is just a smidgeon (sp?) of her collection:

Her shop is located on the property and has grown over the five years she's been open. It's also packed with cottage, northwoods, cowboy, primitives and antiques. Her normal stock includes rugs, candles, vintage kitchen decor, outhouse and bathroom decor, darling gifts, and always really great seasonal items. Like right now, tons of trees, garland, ornaments, snowmen, vintage Christmas, sprigs of greens and tons more. Here's a peek: 

 A huge assortment of seasonal decor: Santas, snowmen, ornaments, trees and garland.

 The "lodge" room--birch bark, pine cones, thermos', lanterns, snowshoes, lamps, wall art, birchbark, and those fabulous red/black buffalo plaid hunters pants...hanging in the hutch! You'll never find another pair!

 Lodge room - dining room table, northwoods dishes, trees and ornaments. 

 See the two tall sparkling trees on the left on the table, just under the antler chandelier? Those are now in my front hall entry!!! yep!

 Barn wood cabinets and cupboards, primitive birch bark items, canoes, minnow buckets, fish and hunting decor. Everything you need for your cabin or cottage away from home. She also special orders log furniture!

 Country and primitive decor, plates, wall art, and antique items.

 Assortment of braided rugs, runners and placemats...all year round.

 Always a corner of feminine vintage items, knick knacks, dolls, jewelry and more lovelies.

 Scented candle sticks and jars, nightlight bulbs, fun shaped bulbs, flicker bulbs and more. Also big assortment of rustic hardware and knobs.

 Lots of wall art and framed prints, barnwood frames, and rustic art.

Vintage kitchen decor, towels, dishes, bread boxes, enamelware, cookbooks, yummy coffees and cocoas.

So, there's a quick tour of this darling shop. She's open year 'round, on Thursday/Friday/Saturday from 10 to 5pm. And while you're out there, stop in Rock City at Maggie's Rock Run Peddler, another great shop with gifts, antiques and florals. Get out of the malls and take a drive to Rock City this weekend--you won't regret it.