Nothing says stop the presses like a snow day. There is an antique show down in Lincoln that I was excited to investigate but, no we’re trapped. Omaha hasn’t seen this much snow in a few years. How quickly you forget! I said to “the husband”, Mom would be making fudge right now. Growing up, whenever we had a snowstorm we always had fudge. We may not have food to put on the table but, we always had fudge makings!

So a few days have gone by since I wrote that paragraph. It has been frigid cold and snow on top of snow. We are expecting another 1-3 today. The roads are lumpy, turning a corner is a challenge, there is no place to move the snow.

The Cabin Fever Antique Show was Friday and Saturday. Well Friday was out. The snow was coming down like crazy and the wind chills were in the 20-25 below range. Not a good day to drive 50 miles on questionable roads and blistering cold with crazy wind. But Saturday came, the wind was still up, windchills still in the 25 below range but, the snow had stopped. After being cooped up with a cold for the last 3 weeks, I was ready to bust out. I told the husband I was going to try it, and if it was treacherous I would turn back.

I found the interstate to be mostly clear with some snow pack in the left lane so I carried on. There were many moments of white out but, I never felt in danger. I made it to the show and although the parking lot was dicey it had been cleared enough. Walking into the show was a frigid experience of frozen cheeks and being thankful for the hood on my jacket.

Upon paying my 8 bucks to get in, gone are the 1.50 days for getting into a show, I set out to explore. It was like coming home. I have missed this show for the last many years. Living in Omaha I never knew when it would be. I have traveled to this same venue many times, for what I hoped would be this show only to find it a basic flea market. Full of things that I am not interested in. I swore I wouldn’t do it again. But this time I had a feeling. This show was advertised and I scoped it out online. So I was hopeful.

The first booth was filled with things I could relate to. Early primitives, lovely quilts, a tiny sled about a foot long. These unique items are getting scarce and harder to find, so I found prices to be quite high. But it did my heart good to know there is still a market for these beloved objects.

Who isn’t drawn to a well loved bear sitting in a Childs chair, treenware, a Lindsey Woolsie grey and red check blanket, and a small wooden trunk.

As I traveled thru the show I kept coming upon things I hadn’t seen before. Hmm I thought I had seen it all! A wooden square butter churn, an old butter mold with a swan carved into it. Butter molds are fairly common but I had never seen one with a swan.

Oh the snow shoes. What is it about snow shoes. I am absolutely smitten. Growing up in Minneapolis my grandpa Porky had a pair of snow shoes, hanging on the wall in their very scary basement. You know the kind, that had a monster coal burning furnace. I hated going down there but, I was so fascinated by the snow shoes. So wish I had them. I would have loved to buy a pair. I think there were 3 pair total in the show. They were all pretty pricey so I passed but, I know I will remember them and they will haunt me.

A whole booth of Steiff toys was fun to see. Most were vintage not antique but they were tempting.

Then I came across this very nice yellow ware sugar crock. There was a time I would have snapped this piece up. It was tempting but at $$$ I had to let it go.

Whether Vanes were plentiful. A whole table and I particularly liked this ram. Of course you know I have a thing for lambs.

Lots of great crocks. Loved this one, it was huge. Someone had thought they were clever by painting the handles. Oddly that was part of it’s charm.

It is so important that these relics from our past be respected and saved. When you put your hands on an antique, you are becoming part of its history. If you are a lover of old, share the passion with your children. You never know what will catch. Tell them what you know about your collection. Ask questions from the person you are buying from. You never know, they may have a story to share. Antique dealers are a wealth of knowledge and they love to share it with you.

What did I buy at the show? A piece of copper for something I am working on.

Stay warm and safe

Thanks for stopping

Shelley