Tag Archives: flea market

Happy 150th Birthday Alice In Wonderland

“And what is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures or conversation?”

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I love Alice in Wonderland. I loved it as a child, I loved it more as a teenager in the 60’s with Grace Slick singing White Rabbit. I loved reading it out loud; as opposed to Winnie the Pooh, who I abhorred. Curiously, today just happened to be an “Alice” day

It was a treat listening to Exposing the curious world of Alice in Wonderland on the Sunday Edition with Michael Enright on CBC.

Interestingly  “After the Bible and Shakespeare, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is the most widely quoted book in the Western world. It has been translated into at least 174 languages.”

Michael interviewed, Alice’s granddaughter and David Day the Canadian author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Decoded. It was fascinating.51VomRKbi8L._SX354_BO1,204,203,200_

What was even greater fun was that  I was listening in my car on the way to the flea market. My first find there was “The Annotated Alice” 1960 edition. I bought it for a dollar.

I remember playing my first computer game on our brand new Apple 2e in 1983. It was Fahrenheit 451 and to move through the game you had to quote Alice In Wonderland. My daughter was much better at it then I was. I would kill to have that game again. (keep going to flea markets)

My daughter, granddaughter, and I have quite a few versions of Alice in Wonderland. We love collecting new or old editions with different illustrators. The blog Brain Pickings has a post on the best illustrated versions. I just ordered this one .

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And oh…..I am not late….I am on Oxford time, a pun from from the book. Love it.

Flea Market Redux

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I am lucky. We only have one flea market in town, very few real antique stores and only about 5 used/second-hand stores. I frequent them all on a regular basis. I love the concept of recycle/upcycle/world doesn’t need another toaster. Today was a good day at the flea market. The vendors are such a cast of characters. I love them all.

Look at this beautiful vintage hand embroidered piece, nicely framed and read the sentiments around the garden, perfect for me. What a beautiful meditation.

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Next a stained glass framed hummingbird. Will go perfect in the kitchen window to keep birds from flying into it.

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An upcycled piece, perfect to hang in a tree.

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AND the best boho find ever!IMG_8540

It’s a poncho, Pendleton fabric (wool), with a howling wolf in leather. It will make an awesome wall hanging, a go to meeting blanket or just sitting by the fire-pit.

Great day of shopping.

Flea Market!

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I’m late, I’m late!

Flomärt

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Wind

Brocante

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Barn Art!

Marché aux puces

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Burl art, signed 1997

Since I was small I have been enamoured with flea markets. new to you tables. garage sales, second-hand stores and especially second-hand book stores.

I can spend all day hunting for treasures. I learned thrift (what a beautiful word) from my mother “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” , also from my daughter who told me “the world doesn’t need another toaster”

My first apartment was completely furnished in flea market, 2nd hand, hand me downs. Even the piano was used.

For all you thrifters, happy hunting.  Remember, it’s not a bargain if you don’t need it, and you never “save a lot of money, spending money you ain’t got”