Nellie's Barn Sale

11/11/2024

MY VERY OWN HERO.

Over 50 years ago my nineteen year old husband boarded a plane for a country he knew nothing about. He left a new wife behind, traveled 8,400 miles away from home and served 13 months in Vietnam enduring situations that we can't even begin to understand...daily loss of life, unbearable heat and humidity, a stench that he can still smell, setting and breaking camp every other day to hide from the enemy, the bombs and air raids, burned villages, the rats and snakes, new friends and profound sadness of lost friends, all while trying to preserve freedom and protect citizens of another country. As he ages, the memories affect him more and more. He doesn't speak of his time there often nor does he talk about his Bronze Star. He's our hero and we're proud of him every day.

We stand proud of all veterans every day of the year. Thank you Jesse and all veterans who put their life on the line for us.

11/01/2024

DIA DE LOS MU***OS....

Although my mother-in-law never knew who I was (as she was at the end of her battle with Alzheimer's when I met my husband)--I love all the stories Jesse tells of her. Lorenza grew up in Hicks, Texas and met my father-in-law Joaquin when her family prepared meals for railroad workers. Joaquin was born in small village in Michoacan, Mexico. Lorenza on the left, her brother Marcos, his wife Anita, and sister Gabriella, circa 1931.

What is this Dio de los Mu***os?

The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de (los) Mu***os) is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the locality. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and remember friends and family members who have died. These celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember amusing events and anecdotes about the departed. It is widely observed in Mexico, where it largely developed, and is also observed in other places, especially by people of Mexican heritage.

Nellie's Barn Sale is an event production company. We host two Vintage Shop Hops--a mega self-guided

10/23/2024

THIS IS ALL OF IT.

I do love my fall decor, but I don't do a lot of Halloween. Now that my son has flown the coop this is the extent of it. I bring out the cape, the black crow, the broom and the rockin' witch boots. This year she has to wear a black top hat since I can't find her witch hat! Come on! Where could it be?

Writing this post reminded me of the Macbeth poem. This should put you in the mood. Don't forget to enjoy the falling leaves. 🍁

🧹🕸️ 🧹🕸️🧹

Song of the Witches: “Double, double toil and trouble”

By William Shakespeare

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and howlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Cool it with a baboon's blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.

🧹 🧹 🧹🧹🧹

10/16/2024

IN MY EYES, THE PERFECT VIGNETTE....

Adding personal family items and heirlooms to a display gives me warm fuzzy feelings when I walk by. I rescued this church pew a few months ago and stripped it back to its original wood and topped it with a flat finish. It's an easy way to swap out seasonal displays at my front entry.

What makes it so special?

-My dad's outdoor yard jacket.
-Hydrangeas from my yard.
-My favorite rusty crusty cow tag.
-Garage sale whisk brooms.
-Wooden hanger from a defunct clothing store in my hometown.
-Picnic basket filled with doilies and linens I've collected over 35+ years.
-Basket filled with embroidery floss and a partially completed project that I started at least 30 years ago.
-Dress form I acquired while on the road back in my tourism days.
-Portion of my vintage rosary collection.
-My uncle's walking cane.
-My son's fuzzy leopard baby blanket.

What's your favorite thing to display with?

10/04/2024

Today's the day! Get up and get going. Support small shops today and tomorrow.

EASY TO USE: ZOOM in close to see all the stores in a neighborhood...towns with multiple shops within close proximity of each other are stacked. Click or tap the icon to open detail of any shop. Colored icons represent the 5 different "shop types". LEGEND: Vintage Shops/Antique Malls = Purple Home D...

10/03/2024

Where will you be shop hopping?

BUCK THE BOX STORES.

ROAD TRIP TO THE VINTAGE SHOP HOP.

EVERY INCH OF IT IS BUYING LOCAL.

EVERY INCH OF IT IS SHOPPING SMALL.

DO YOUR PART.

KEEP YOUR DOWNTOWN STRONG.

Never shop-hopped? This is the motherlode of all road trips! My "Fall 2024" version of the popular Vintage Shop Hop is right around the corner.

On October 4 & 5 find 350+ vintage shops & boutiques throughout hundreds of towns in Illinois and Wisconsin...rolling out the red carpet for you.

Get the Master List of Shops here:
https://bit.ly/GetTheList_and_Map

Find the Google Map here (be sure to log in to a google account first to get the full benefits of the map):
https://bit.ly/VSH_MapOfShops_Oct2024

GRAB YOUR FRIENDS.
HIT THE ROAD.
SHOP HARD.

10/02/2024

Pick It Fence Estate Sales in Rockford this weekend--check it out while you are Vintage Shop Hopping

09/30/2024

TOUCHES OF FALL...

Enjoy your week.

09/22/2024

BEST. ROAD TRIP. EVER.

Use our Google Map to plan the YOUR route for the Vintage Shop Hop on October 4 & 5. TAG your friends NOW!

Jump to the Vintage Shop Hop page to FOLLOW along!

EASY TO USE: ZOOM in close to see all the stores in a neighborhood...towns with multiple shops within close proximity of each other are stacked. Click or tap the icon to open detail of any shop. Colored icons represent the 5 different "shop types". LEGEND: Vintage Shops/Antique Malls = Purple Home D...

09/22/2024

Have you planned your route?

Find the Master List of Shops and the Google Map link on our website 24/7/365:

https://vintageshophop.blogspot.com

An semi-annual event showcasing 400+ vintage shops, barn sales, & ladies boutiques in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

09/14/2024

Next week in Beloit, WI...

09/11/2024

Fabulous 'vintage' estate sale in Rockford this weekend...

09/10/2024

Are you planning your road trip yet?

EASY TO USE: ZOOM in close to see all the stores in a neighborhood...towns with multiple shops within close proximity of each other are stacked. Click or tap the icon to open detail of any shop. Colored icons represent the 5 different "shop types". LEGEND: Vintage Shops/Antique Malls = Purple Home D...

09/10/2024

ATTENTION Shop Owners...

Do you own a VINTAGE shop, ANTIQUE mall, LADIES boutique, HOME DECOR store, or VINTAGE BARN SALE? Then we want you!

If your shop is located in northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin, we'd love to have you join us for the fall edition of the Official Vintage Shop Hop - Fall Edition October 4 & 5, 2024. The event is a two-day, self-guided road trip for shoppers to DISCOVER your shop!!! Join the other 400 shops for the BEST. ROAD TRIP. EVER.

Participation puts you on a Master List of Shops and an interactive Google Map for a six month period. Both are housed on our website 24/7 so you get long term benefit. Hurry! The registration deadline is Sunday, September 22 at 5pm.

If you aren't positive you qualify, send me a PM with a link to your page so I can take a peek. We allow:

VINTAGE/ANTIQUE - at least 75% of your inventory must be vintage
VINTAGE BARN SALE/POPUP - a pop up or seasonal event where 75% of your inventory is vintage
LADIES BOUTIQUE - All new inventory, focused on women's clothing, accessories, jewelry and such
HOME DECOR - New inventory, or mixed with vintage
UPSCALE CONSIGNMENT - Upscale, on trend home decor and/or clothing, NO thrift.

HERE is the registration link with more info...and our website is linked below so you can check out the current map and list, which are updated twice a week until the deadline.

LINK to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vintage-shop-hop-official-event-october-4-5-2024-registration-957344993647
Website: https://vintageshophop.blogspot.com

Any questions, just send me a PM on this page.

08/24/2024

IS IT ON YOUR CALENDAR? Jump to the Vintage Shop Hop page to follow along! The Google Map and List are ready and waiting for your road trip planning!

An semi-annual event showcasing 400+ vintage shops, barn sales, & ladies boutiques in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

08/23/2024

LET THE WEEKEND BEGIN!!

On my agenda...

Trip to thrift store. 🛍️
Fishing. 🎣
Boat ride. ⛵
Friday night fish fry. 🐟
Sunset.
Bonfire. 🔥
More lake time. 🌞
Steak fry. 🥩
Flea market. 🍅

What are your plans?

08/22/2024

A WORK IN PROGRESS...

Imitation is the best form of flattery, right? I have been following Bambi at for a while now. Her hallway church pew stops me in my scrolling tracks every time. I've struggled for years trying to figure out what to put in my skinny entryway that barely has any room to walk and decided that a 'skinny' church pew was the answer. It's functional and pretty at the same time. It also gives me a place to do seasonal displays. All I had to do was shop the other rooms in my house for all the staging pieces!

I'm not ready for fall decor yet. But once I dress this area up in golden colors I'll be sure to show you a snapshot!

Happy Thursday!


















Church pew, entryway decor, maximalist interiors