Two weekends ago we took the RV out for a short trip to a town called Foxborough, located about halfway between Boston and Cape Cod. The resort we stayed at was super nice…much nicer than the one we stayed at with the boys a few weeks ago. The area of Foxborough is also pretty, with beautiful homes every which way you look.
Since Saturday was the only full day we had, I wanted to venture out and do a little exploring. We came across an adorable vintage shop that just happens to only be open twice a year for a weekend.
Isn’t it cute? It used to be a chapel, and it’s located on what used to be a boy scout camp, so the area surrounding it is just as nice as you might expect. These days, sometimes the chapel is rented out for functions, but mostly it’s not utilized.
I’m thinking there are more than a few of you right now thinking you’d love to live there!?
Do you ever get the feeling when you’re taking pics that people, especially the owners, are wondering if you’re a blogger and that’s why you’re taking them? Well, that’s exactly how I felt so I tried to be a little discreet, although I wasn’t very successful but I don’t think she minded at all.
There were so many things I would have loved to take home with me, not the least of which was this wagon, but my wallet and my car (not enough room) wouldn’t allow it.
I think this dough bowl was one of my favorite pieces, followed closely by the gorgeous table.
And here’s what I picked up. I think it’s the perfect size for our mantel, and I love that it’s a light color because almost everything else fades into the wood.
Shortly after we got home on Sunday, our friends from Florida came to stay for two nights so on Monday we took a drive to the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls which I blogged about last year, but the real find of the day was this funky place we had never heard about much less seen.
To the right and slightly behind the above building is the entrance to the sanctuary, below.
Take a good look at all that beadwork. Can you imagine how long something like that would take? And as you can see there are several statues adorned just like this throughout the gardens.
The gardens were absolutely stunning but I know my cell phone pictures wouldn’t do them any justice so I didn’t really take many. You’ll just have to visit for yourself. Oh, and you can do that while staying on the property too!
Adjacent to the gardens was a yellow and blue house. The owner and his daughter live there but there’s also an adorable apartment they rent out via airbnb that’s attached. He gave us a tour and I grabbed some quick cell pics of the inside.
There is also a very large building on the property with countless vintage stoves, most of which have been lovingly restored like the stoves pictured below.
If you would like to see more pictures of this property (I encourage you to do so. The gardens are gorgeous!), click on over to the airbnb info here.
In other news…
If you follow me on IG or FB, you would have seen these photos below so you have my permission to sign off now ;).
Last weekend we went to a lovely local vineyard for a farm to table event. Here’s a shot of the table set up. All I can say is thank goodness the weather cooperated!
We got there early and picked some grapes, saw the crushing process and relaxed on the deck with appetizers and wine. There was music followed by a fabulous dinner of short ribs, squash, slaw, salad, corn and more, all from local farms.
And of course, wine shots :).
This weekend we were supposed to go the an RV resort near the New Hampshire border, but the weather looks iffy so we canceled and hope to reschedule for the very near future. It will most likely be our last sojourn before we head out to Florida for the winter, and we still have a few things we want to test out so we hope we can reschedule.
On the home front, I’ve toned down some of the Fall decorations that I showed you from the house tour a couple of weeks ago, made an awesome pizza last week with an easy recipe I want to share soon, and a lot of the wood from our tree cuttings last Spring is being taken by a neighbor who uses it to heat their home. The kicker? She’s cutting a lot of it herself! Yes, with an ax, not a splitter.
She’s making me look bad…
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Julie says
Hi Doreen,
I do love the store so charming.
What pretty statues and the dinner you had sounds really good and yummy. Sounds like you have been having fun.
It’s too bad you had to cancel the RV trip! The weather has been crazy.
Let’s hope it’s not too bad.
Enjoy the end of the week and weekend.
Julie
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
My first thought was ‘it’s a storybook cottage”! A fun read…those statues are quite amazing!
tammy j says
i love this post!
i feel like i’ve just been on vacation to my favorite part of the country.
plus…
you and fisherman are really lookin’ GOOD there! WOW!
xoxo♥
Feral Turtle says
What a cool place to visit. Thanks for taking us there. I love the tin man as he is so unique. Hope you have a great weekend!
susan says
The chapel where the vintage sale was held is so charming, Doreen. I love stumbling upon places like that.
What a great time of year for traveling in your RV – enjoy yourselves!
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
Are you spending the whole winter in Florida in your RV? You two sure do stay busy and traveling. But then, that’s what retirements all about for many!
Brenda
Cecilia says
Wow those statues are incredible! Totally distracted me from the charming vintage place and stuff. 🙂
The wine and farm to table dinner looks so yummy! Wow.
Will you spend the entire winter in Florida? Have a great weekend!
Doreen says
Hi Cecilia! The statues were even more incredible in person! Right now, we are planning on being in Florida for three months. Last year was two, but we returned to terrible weather for several weeks so we decided to stay longer. Enjoy your weekend too! xxx
Cindi says
You are right! I’d love to live in that chapel! LOL!
It looks like you’ve had so much fun in your travels.
So many cool places.
I love seeing you and your hubs. You two are so cute.
How long will you be in Florida?
Until Spring I suppose. I know a few people who do that.
We call them Snow birds! LOL!
Thanks for taking me on this trip!
xoxo
Doreen says
Hi Cindi! We wil be there for three months, so I guess it official…we’re snowbirds!
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
I can’t get over those beaded statues – may just have to take a ride up to see them! The farm to table event sounds like a lot of fun – food and wine? I’m in! Not looking good for the weather this weekend – hope you get in another test drive for the RV before heading south!
Doreen says
You should Amy! And if you don’t want to stay in that adorable airbnb place, we’ll leave the light on for ya’!
Dewena says
Wow! Was there a price on the Tin Man? You two are so cute in front of it! I love the new box for the mantel.
I hope the weather doesn’t get too bad for you there, just glad that they’re not predicting it to be as bad as they first were.
Will you be spending Christmas away too?
Dewena
Doreen says
No price on the Tin Man Dewena :).
Not sure when we are leaving exactly, but it may very well be before Christmas.
xxx
Benita says
I’m going to have to agree with you on the dough bowl, but the typewriter would be my second! 🙂 So many interesting pieces and such an adorable cottage! It would definitely have been difficult for me to leave things behind as well!
Jane says
Glad you found a great place to take the RV. I see many more wonderful trips in your future! I think the winery visit looked like loads of fun…I love the whole farm to table concept. and I have seen it (thankfully) down in Asheville—we would never have something like that in Chicago! Fun!
I wish you many more weekend of fun!
Jane x
handmade by amalia says
The vintage shop is just the sort of place I like and I also like the fact that you needed luck and good timing to find it open.
Looks like you had fun.
Amalia
xo
Sue says
I am in awe that you landed at a shop that is only open twice a year for a weekend..you have great timing. Love seeing the beaded statues. I love all your travels and look forward to your winter in Florida.
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Local farm food is always THE BEST treat. Thank for sharing the interesting excursions. The tin man and mannequin mosaic woman are extraordinary. It looks like you’ve still got a lot of green on the ground, but I’m sure that’s changing fast. Enjoy the fall color (I’m so jealous, lol)
Mary-In the boondocks says
Doreen, that vintage store was so full of lovelies. We don’t have any here and I really miss that aspect of American life. That and the yard sales…. oh I can go on for hours about those. Thanks for sharing your lovely pics of the sanctuary statues, they are very special indeed. Have a wonderful time in your travels.
Red Rose Alley says
Doreen,
OK, I’m in love with those beaded ladies. I love jewels and beads, so you can imagine how much I enjoyed seeing these statues, they’re awesome! That blue one looks like she belongs in the sea. This is a charming vintage shop. I love to browse through shops like this that have unique, one of a kind items. That old stove is so cool. And I really like the “home” box that you brought home. It looks great on your mantel.
Have a good week ahead, Doreen.
~Sheri
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
Love the dough bowl and that box you bougth for your mantel is perfect!
kelly says
What fun shops! I sometimes hesitate to take pictures too. I always feel like people are watching me and wondering if I’m trying to steal their ideas or something. Some small shops don’t like it. (poo poo on them) Those beaded people looked almost real! I would’ve probably said excuse me to one of them since they were human sized! Love the item that you found for your mantel.
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
What fun places – and great photos! Way to take one of for “team” so we could see everything. Lol!
I can’t believe I didn’t realize you were on IG before! But I remedied that tonight. 😉
Bummer about the RV trip! Phooey!! Hope you’re able to reschedule. xoxo
Poppy says
I love the adventures you take us on in your RV, Doreen, and this one is no exception. You and Fisherman look fab, as usual, and it is very clear that you are having a lot of fun! I LOVE those vintage stoves; each and every one is so amazingly detailed in its design! They are pretty and practical, and I would definitely have one in my own kitchen if I had the space!
How wonderful to have picked your own grapes, and then enjoyed the fruit of everyone else’s labour with that scrumptious al fresco fare at that farm!;))
I, myself, am off to get me some grilled fig pizza in cyberspace which I hear is gourmet good, so there!;))
xoxo
Nancy Crowley says
Hi Doreen,
Love your blog! It’s really beautiful, great photography and your tales are lovely. That little vintage shop is so great, everything I saw in your pics I wanted! Glad I stopped by, I’ll be back! xx Nancy
Doreen says
Hi Nancy! Great to see you here, and your kind words could easily have been used to describe YOUR blog, which is so lovely and well written. I see we have a couple of friends in common, which just speaks to our mutual good taste ;).
I hope you write a final post about your trip to Greece. Seems so many people I know have been recently and it’s really making me feel like that should be our next foray.