Hangin' with the Sisters

Last weekend I visited my sister Judy in her home in the mountains of eastern Virginia.Well, I started out at Judy's, but there was more to the visit than that. Six of my seven sisters got together for a day of fun, shopping, celebration and laughter. Four of us had a sleepover at Judy's and I wish you could have heard the chatter! 

Let's start with the view from my sister Judy's house on a cold spring morning. Her horses were happy with their hay as the daylight slipped across the mountains. Judy runs Hidden Trails Stables at Lost River State Park in addition to her job as a nurse, and she's one of the busiest people I know.

All of my sisters love antiques and junking as much as I do, so a trip to local shops was in our plans. We decided to check out Broadway, VA, which is only 45 minutes away from Judy's house, and she had seen some shops she thought we should investigate.

Our first stop with the Ben Franklin store, where we met up with sisters Mary, Cathy and Julie who had left home early to meet us. When I was young Ben Franklin stores were five-and-dime stores, but today many of them seem to have converted to craft shops--and this one had an attached antique mall. This was where I found those cute Hull baskets, and also the small wood knobs I have searched for in many places without luck. Everyone seemed to find something here, then we were off again.

What does that sign say?

Aha! It looks like it might be our kind of place. Theresa is a pro at the fast stop, and also at turning around and going back if we missed something (like a turn!).

We found all kinds on interesting things here. Junk for sure and plenty of it, and most prices were very reasonable. I bought a few items, nothing big, but sister Julie came away with a dining table and 6 chairs for a steal. If I'd had my truck, it would have come home filled with furniture, but alas, I had only my car so I was careful with my shopping.

Next stop was the Shoppes at Mauzy (pronounced Mosey). I'm usually a little leery of places called "shoppe" because that extra "pe" on the end usually means It's going to cost more.

This place had many buildings, all filled with antiques and collectibles. (Liz and Cathy are telling secrets, I think!)

The main house of the place was filled on both floors with to-die-for beautiful things. I could have spent a small fortune here, but I was happy with a canning funnel and a very pretty turquoise and gold vase that I think might have been made by Cameron Clay Products in West Virginia.

This little building was the jail! At one time this was a small community so it had a jail, ice house (upper right),

a country store and feed store, and a church (not in these photos). Other nice old farm buildings were scattered about the property. With its location just off Rte 11 and I-81 in the Shenandoah Valley, the Shoppes seem well located to attracted business--and it's a beautiful place to visit.

Judy gamely hobbled around with us on crutches. She hurt her leg a few weeks ago but wasn't about to miss out on the fun, and she's a real trouper. I know it had to have tired her, though. Mary scored a few things here too, and we all admired the beautifully arranged rooms. Definitely worth another visit sometime.

That was the shopping part of our day. By this time it was after noon and we were hungry--and we wanted some time to just visit and talk too. Tomorrow, pics of a sister birthday!

Copyright 2012 Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.