Love at First Sight

This is a love story. But don't worry. It has a happy ending.

Ron and I drove up to Loveland on Saturday to go to the Vintage Whites Market. 

Why didn't anyone tell me about this big market before?
I hear it's been around for five years in three states 

and no one ever told me. I actually found out about it by reading someone's blog. 

Marked it on my calendar and prayed it wouldn't snow.

Loveland, by the way, is America's Sweetheart City where thousands of people 

send their valentines to be re-stamped "With Love from Loveland." So romantic.

And if you're wondering about all the photos of this wonderful old table, well,

I'll tell you my love story in just a moment. 

Yesterday, it snowed about five inches in Denver. 

This morning dawned crisp and very cold but no snow so we headed north. 

And it was absolutely beautiful. 

There's a good bit of open land north of Denver (I hope it doesn't all get developed) 

and yesterday's fluffy snowfall blanketed fields, hugged pine trees, 

and settled on rustic wooden fences. 

How perfectly perfect for a White Market.

The market was actually much bigger and much more crowded than we expected, 

making it a little difficult to see everything or to take pictures.

We wandered around, oohing and ahhing but not buying. 

I think we've become spoiled by estate sales and thrift stores where bargains abound.

So, entering the second building, yes, a whole other building, 

we're strolling and excusing ourselves through the crowd when I saw it. 

And, oh, it was love at first sight. My heart thumped. My breath quickened.
I think my pupils got bigger like they say happens when you are attracted to someone.
I smiled and moved closer.

It was the primitive kitchen table I'd been lusting after. 

The kind of table you'd find in a charming little vacation cottage on the lake. 

But, if  you've been following my blog, you know I have a very tiny kitchen. 

Where was I going to put this gotta-have-it table? 

No idea. So like Scarlett in Gone with the Wind, I told myself I'd worry about that tomorrow.

I took a closer look. 

It looked as if it had had, shall we say, several relationships. 

Red chippy paint on the fold-out side panels, green and cream crackles on the legs, 

and mostly bare weathered wood on top.

And then the price tag tied to the leg:  $90. A bit more than I wanted to pay. So we moved on. 

My heart broke a little bit. I sniffled. I felt like we'd broken up before we ever had a chance.

But as we wrapped up building number two, I found myself drifting back to see 

if the table was still there. Yep, and it looked even better than the first time. 

Absence had indeed made the heart grow fonder.

 I sat down in a chair to check the height. Perfect. 

I could see myself having a morning cup of coffee at this table. 

Gave it a few twists to check construction. Strong and stable. 

I could even bring my laptop here to work in the afternoon.
And that chippy paint. 

A perfect match.

Love. At second sight.

Finding the booth owner, I asked if that was her best price. 

But before she gave me the standard 10% off, I asked if she'd take $75 and she said yes!

Then, of course, I wondered if I should have offered $65. But, it was definitely worth the price, especially when I saw similar tables on Ebay when I got home for around $450!!

The best part -- now I had a table that would accommodate all my vintage tablecloths. 

Now, where to put it? I've said it before:  if you truly want something, you WILL find room for it. Even if that means getting rid of something else. 

So, my friends, I have a lovely vintage 1920s green wicker sofa for sale if anyone is interested. 

It's destined for Craigslist this spring 

and will make room for my primitive kitchen table in the sunroom.

Just in time to put my little table next to the windows and watch for crocus blooms 

struggling to push their way through the frozen ground and layers of dead leaves. 

They know. In their little bulb hearts. 

 If you truly want something, you will find a way.
Love. 

Only 65 days til Spring!!!



Sharing with:  Shabby Fu Fu, Thoughts from Alice, Rustic & Refined, Dwellings, Between Naps on the Porch, Cozy Little House, Coastal Charm, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, Bella Rosa Antiques, Elizabeth and Co., Savvy Southern Style, Knick of Time, Maison de Pax, Ivy & Elephants, From my Front Porch to Yours, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, A Delightsome Life, Northern Nesting, Adirondack Girl at Heart, Meadow Lake Road, Rooted in Thyme, Charm of Home, French Country Cottage, Creative Country Mom, Shabby Art Boutique, My Romantic Home, The Cottage Market, Our Southern Home, Karens up on the Hill