200th Post Give Back !!!

At some point within the next two weeks, I will, incredibly, publish my 200th post! In anticipation of this, I have been thinking about what to do about a 200th post Give-Away or as I like to call it a Give-Back to all my friends in this wonderful blogging community.



At the same time, I have been thinking about, with great anticipation, the approaching Madison Bouckville Antique Show which I have been going to every August for many years now..... The towns of Madison and Bouckville are midway between Syracuse and Utica, NY. They are filled with many antique shops and the week leading up to this annual event, the streets and fields are full of dealers and collectors. The show this year will be on Saturday and Sunday, August 15th and 16th. Set up and early buying is on Friday...but beginning Tuesday, the 11th .....Route 20 is lined with fields of peripheral dealers who trade and sell up until the main event on the weekend.



When Kate was a little girl....she and I would go midweek and shop all the dealers who were set up along the street and in the fields....Kate was quite the trooper and was always on the lookout for girlie things...like ponies and kittens and pretty sparkly baubles....She drove a hard bargain and many times dealers, looking down into that sweet smiling face, would simply give her whatever her heart's desire....



In recent years, I have either traveled by myself or with my good pal Paula (you will remember all the pictures of her home and garden from the tour in June). We try to do this show and the Brimfield show in Massachusetts once or twice a year.....When I go with Paula...we do it right....the big time.....the actual show....pay the early bird fee and go for several days! Paula and I are kindred spirits and very good antiquing and junking partners...The first time my parents met Paula up at the lake after a particularly successful buying trip in Madison.....my Mom remarked...."I think she loves junk as much as Laura!"



Anyway....this year.....we invited good friends Carole of Maynard Greenhouse in Old Saybrook, CT and Deanna of Gather, a wonderful shop in Ivoryton, CT, to join us for a fun filled girls' weekend of antiquing and junking! Evi, our dear friend and the renowned doll maker, is trying to work things out so that she can come as well....but at the moment her family and most particularly her darling grandchildren need her so it may not work out this time...(we will miss her).



Now....to get to the part that involves all of YOU!
To celebrate my impending 200th post....
I would like to offer the winner of this GIVE BACK.....my services as their personal shopper at the Madison Bouckville Antique Show this year!
You tell me what to look for! You tell me what you collect! Is it Linens? Kitchenware? Ephemera? Sewing Collectibles? Old Millinery Flowers? Vintage Jewelry?
I will do my very best to find the perfect treasure for the winner of my Give-Back!



If this sounds interesting and fun all you have to do is leave a comment before midnight, next Tuesday, August 11th....and I will enter you in my GIVE BACK!
If you would like a second chance to win....mention this GIVE BACK on your blog and let me know so I can put your name in the hat twice.....



Be sure to leave contact information in your comment so I can reach you if you do not keep a blog and be sure to tell me what you want me to look for while I "shop till I drop" at this fabulous event!
This Give Back is open to everyone! (My first Give Back for my 100th post was won by Christina in Sweden!)
I hope you decide to "come along with us" next week and I will do the leg work and hunt for your heart's desire.....