The Nesting Hen

Photo courtesy of www.walnutantiqueshow.com I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I LOVE flea markets! My mom and I never miss a What Cheer flea market. My mom has been going there for over 20 years, and as soon as I was old enough to walk the flea market without complaints, I got to go along too. A few years back, we decided that the wait between the May and August What Cheer shows was unbearable, and we needed to find a new show to go to in between. After doing some research, we came across the Walnut Antique Show. Located in Walnut, Iowa (Iowa's Antique City), this small, small town hosts a flea market in Mid June every year. We make a mother daughter weekend out of it, and when she can, my sister joins us a well. We stay overnight at a nearby hotel, and the past few years, we've eaten supper the night before at Mexican restaurant in downtown Harlan. The reason we go back…the cabbage salsa. I know it sounds weird, I had never heard of it before...

Everyone has a collection. Something that you were simply drawn to or something that you have a personal tie with. Mine is a bit of both. My matchbox holder collection reminds me of simpler times that I didn't get to experience. When it was necessary to have matches in the kitchen to light your stove. The silver one in particular holds a special place in my heart. My Great-great-grandfather held a patent for a matchbox holder cut from a single piece of metal. This matchbox is identical to the drawings in his patent. I love the variety of colors, designs, and styles. When we moved into our new house, I couldn't find the right place or method to display them. I wanted to keep them together, as I think they make more of an impact. I finally found the perfect way to display them. This little black shelf houses most of them perfectly, and the space really needed something. I even have room to add more to my collection! (P.S. Don't mind the...