Slow Down You Move Too Fast

First of all I wanted to thank everyone for all of the wonderful comments about Doug and Ms. M's flowers, I know they really appreciate it!  And I also wanted to remind those of you who haven't already entered that there's still time to enter my latest Giveaway...just click HERE to find out more!

Remember that old song by Simon and Garfunkel with the lyrics Slow Down You Move Too Fast?  Well that song pretty much personifies my life these days...moving way too fast and not being able to "make the morning last!"  Or the afternoon, or evening for that matter!

Yesterday I got up bright and early and drove 3 hours to a wonderful B&B on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, pictured above.  The house was charming and the owners were more than gracious, serving me wonderful mint tea, letting me invade their space, snap a bunch of photos, and ask a million questions!  I'll be featuring this wonderful B&B in a post next week, along with a giveaway of a book written by Carol, one of the owners, so be sure to check back to see much more of this wonderful getaway!

In case you are wondering if I decided to try some new action or texture on the photos of this beautiful old home, the answer would be no!  It was actually 95 degrees outside when I arrived at the B&B with a heat index of over 100 degrees, and after a 3 hour car ride in cooled comfort, my camera lens decided to revolt against the oppressive heat and humidity and fog up!  I promise the rest of the photos I'll be showing you will be crisp and clear, but I kind of liked the ethereal look of some of the shots I took...they had a dream like quality to them.  And because the story behind this house and its current owners is a bit of a dream come true, I thought they were fitting!

After spending several hours with the delightful owners of the B&B, it was time to start the 3 hour journey back home.  As I was driving down the rural road towards home, I spied this...Oak Creek Sales.

And across the street was this...also run by Oak Creek Sales!

I was tired, bedraggled by the heat, and ready to just head home to my nice comfy house, but when I see "stuff" stacked, propped, and stuffed in an old shed or storefront, well let's just say that it's like a moth to a flame for me!  I find it irresistible, so of course I pulled in to take a look around!

To say that owner Chuck Kilmon has a few things for sale is kind of like saying that the Sahara has a few grains of sand!

Thankfully, Mr. Tide wasn't with me, this is not his kind of store, so I was free to wander at will and take it all in!

This beautiful piece of Calico Burleighware caught my eye immediately, it matches my platter and those plates I bought a while back!  Can't you just see this filled with red geraniums for the 4th of July!  This is one of those things you pass up and later kick yourself over...*kicks self*!

There were sections of of old iron fencing, slabs of marble, beautiful planters, and other statuary with just the perfect amount of  rust and patina on them!

Antique rockers and old weather worn wicker just begging for a porch to sit on once more!

And items that gave a nod to the shop's location, just a stone's throw away from the water.

Chuck has an eye for the unusual like this heart shaped iron piece with a cherub motif.  Some of his finds have even made their way into the movies.  He's been called on more than once to provide props for various films!

And these mermaids didn't seem to mind the searing heat yesterday, I wish I could say that I looked this glamorous after being out in the afternoon sun!  

Even the Antiques sign was decorated with antiques!  And I didn't even dare to take my camera inside, where you'll find china, crystal, and a myriad of other wonderful items!  The lighting was low inside and I would have needed my tripod...which is why I only took pictures of the exterior.  The inside is jam packed, with no room to spare for big bulky camera equipment, but it's definitely worth a gander...just be sure to go around 3 or 4 times to make sure you see everything!

After chatting with Chuck from Oak Creek Sales (who couldn't have been any nicer) and resisting temptation by leaving behind the blue Burleighware *sigh*, I spied this wonderful little restaurant right next door called Bella Luna Italian Market, which Chuck highly recommended!

It was now almost 3:00 pm and when I stuck my head inside it was clear that they were done serving lunch and they were preparing for the dinner crowd to arrive later that evening.  When I asked if they were still serving, the two super friendly girls up front, Michele and Katelyn, nicely offered to ask the chef if he could make me up a little something!

Maybe it was because I looked like a drowned rat, a wet noodle, or maybe even a little bit like a crazy woman...trust me heat and humidity do not make my hair look very stellar, but the chef agreed, and as the only customer in the place, I was treated to one of the best sandwiches I've ever had!  Thanks guys!

It was on the most delicious crusty bread with turkey, provolone, lettuce and fresh pesto!  And served with a side of homemade pasta salad with fresh tomatoes, greens, and yummy feta cheese!  It was all I could do to eat half of the sandwich and most of the pasta salad and I even treated myself to a coke, something I don't normally do!

After I finished my very late lunch I headed back towards home, driving through an amazing thunderstorm as I crossed the Bay Bridge (nothing like high winds and rain when you're at the top of a very tall bridge!), and then making one last stop before getting home almost exactly 12 hours later!  I had hoped to meet up with my dear friend and old college roomie, Diane, but time just didn't permit it this trip.  So now I have an excuse to head back over to Royal Oak, Maryland sometime, and I know that along with seeing Di, I'll also be dining at Bella Luna and nosing around Oak Creek Sales once again!

And as far as slowing down, I've decided to take the weekend off.  I need a little breather and some time to reflect on the news that one of my dearest friends in the world is losing his battle with cancer.   

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you next week!