PETALS FROM THE PAST-AS FUN AND QUAINT AS IT SOUNDS!

The name of the nursery and the festival are the same-PETALS FROM THE PAST. Located along I-65, just south of Birmingham, Al., this place has a large following and is well received in a broad area. I was just a little surprised at the large crowd that the event drew, but it is an annual event in these parts, so it was expected by the repeat vendors.
I had a steady flow of customers on both days and with the good weather we had, it turned out to a fun event for me.
Granted, dollar-wise, it was not the best of shows, but there are things more important than money. I had not had a chance to see "ALABAMA"(Terry Gilpin) since Janice had past away,and he is a very good friend and wanted to share some memories of her with me.
"BOTTLE TREE BOB", "COWBOY", and several other vendors that do the circuit were in attendance to share stories and have a few good laughs.
Making money pays the bills, but having good friends and good times is the true measure of the quality of life. With that as my gauge, then I am truly wealthy!

EUFAULA ALABAMA IN THE SPRING!!! MAN-O-MAN THE PLACE TO BE!

WITH SARGENT SANDERS (THERE IS ONLY ONE COLONEL SANDERS) PROUDLY STANDING GUARD DUTY, THE DAY BEGAN AT THE 2010 GARDEN TREASURES SECTION OF THE EUFAULA PILGRIMAGE. THE WEATHER WAS BEAUTIFUL, THE CROWDS WERE LARGE AND THE ATMOSPHERE WAS AS IT ALWAYS IS IN THIS VERY SOUTHERN CITY; IT WAS DRIPPING WITH SOUTHERN CHARM AND HOSPITALITY.
THE RECEPTION THAT YOU RECEIVE IN THIS ANTEBELLUM COMMUNITY IS NOT JUST FOR SHOW, YOU WILL GET A HEAPING DOSE EACH AND EVERY TIME YOU VISIT THE CITY OF BEAUTIFUL (FOR THE LACK ON MY PART OF MORE DESCRIPTIVE WORDS) SOUTHERN HOMES AND MANSIONS. THESE PEOPLE ARE EAGER FOR YOU TO TOUR, ASK QUESTIONS, AND TO JUST SIT A SPELL ON THE FRONT PORCH.
IT IS ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE FRIENDS ALONG WHEN YOU DO A SHOW. DON AND SUSANNE AND I FOUND A GREAT PLACE FOR A SEAFOOD BUFFET, JUST ACROSS THE LAKE IN GEORGETOWN. IF INTERESTED, CALL OR E-MAIL.
TRUE TO THE GARDEN THEME, WE HAD TONS OF SPRING PLANTS AND FLOWERS. THIS IS PROBABLY THE ONLY TIME THIS POOR GUY HAD A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN. HE HAD TO GO BACK HOME ON SATURDAY NIGHT TO GET MORE AND STILL SOLD OUT ON SUNDAY!
PAUL, ON THE LEFT, AND VAN, ON THE RIGHT, BETTER KNOWN AS MEN OF IRON, MAKE ALL THE IRON WORK SEEN IN THE PHOTO. THEY ARE GREAT GUYS, TALENTED ARTISTS, AND I AM PROUD TO CALL THEM MY FRIENDS.

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706-302-8902

THE HORSERADISH GRILL!--KEEP IT OUR LITTLE SECRET!

This was the kick-off of the CHASTAIN GREEN MARKET in the parking lot of the HORSERADISH GRILL and was it ever good! My good friend, Don(Dog Bowl)Puckett, seen here had to split his inventory and be at the wonderful midtown market at Virginia/Highlands Market as well as the CHASTAIN GREEN MARKET--not an easy feat to be sure.
I, on the other hand, brought the whole freak show with me. Patrick and Randall said to "WOW" the visitors, so I gave it my best shot. I must say that we all were well received by the neighborhood. Randall said many times that they wanted us here and was he ever "on the money". They came out early and in large numbers. They were friendly and excited to know that we would be back every Saturday with new and different things. With the large pool of vendors in the area, it is sure to be a unique mix each time.
Our host, THE HORSERADISH GRILL, in addition to giving the neighborhood a different kind of shopping experience, wanted a strong influence of a GREEN market. He wants to be able to walk into the parking lot and purchase fresh, local produce and serve it to his customers that evening. WOW! The folks in that area are lucky to have a chef/owner with that vision and desire to please his customers. AS the growing season comes into its own, look for this parking lot to be almost overflowing with some of the finest examples of "home grown" to be found anywhere. I will be doing my part to spread the word to my gardening friends that there is a ready market in the Chastain Park area. If any of my readers garden or know someone who does, then contact Patrick or Randall at "info@affps.com" and they will give you all the news.
And last but not least, this is also to help raise funds for the new DOG PARK at Chastain Park, so let's all do our part to help out. You can never have too many good dogs! I don't live in the Buckhead area, but I always want to help a good neighborhood maintain its quality of life. "WHAT GOES AROUND-COMES AROUND"!

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larrycook351@gmail.com

WATERCOLOR, FL.--A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN ON EARTH1

An the angel in charge of Watercolor Heaven is Hillary(Fosdyck), co-owner of MONARK EVENTS. If you are in need of a FIRST class, over the top event of any description, just Google the company name and you are on your way. I did not include a photo of your hostess because mama says you can't have dessert first. Now-back to me! The Butterfly chairs above were a big hit this year at Art in the Park. I always try to bring Hillary something new and funky for the spring kick-off show on 30-A.
Sorry for not taking enough photos to show the full scope of artists and vendors. I was pre-occupied with the newest member of my sales team--see following photos. The park however was full to overflowing with some of the finest artists to exhibit along 30-A. Many commented that it took a few hours to see everything that MONARK EVENTS had provided.
This bad boy is a new cast aluminum gargoyle that I treated to look like aged bronze with a beautiful green patina. This was my first try at the process and I am proud of it. It won't hurt my feelings at all if LEON does not sell; he can sit on the eve of my house anytime.
Well, this herd of turtles didn't last long at the show. Most were sold and sacked by noon. I knew I should have taken more; my Minnesota customers are wild for turtles and buy all that I bring. The kids naturally know to step on each and every one of them, usually counting as they go. I have fun with adults telling them to step and count while trying not to laugh. I haven't had a "grown-up" yet that could keep a straight face.

Saving the best for last--the youngest son of the youngest son of the youngest son. Confusing I know, but this is my blog so deal with it. The heart breaking three year old is Alex, soon to be the 3rd generation of Glider Guy dynasty. He is shielding his face because as you all know ladies, too much eye candy at one time can be bad for you.

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THE FOUR SEASONS PRESENTED TO YOU IN CAST IRON--WOW!

These four ladies, representing the 4 seasons of the year are taken from the original Greek statutes. They are beautiful and cast in my favorite metal--cast iron. Although each one stands just under 5feet tall, they still weigh in at over 400 lbs. each.

The beauty of the condition that they are in now is that there are so many options. Of course you can leave them in their natural state, which in my mind, rust is natural beauty that can not be duplicated.

You can paint an antique white, which from the curb will give the appearance of marble. If displayed from a "drive-by" setting, this could be quite interesting.

The most intense and time consuming is to base coat with, say, flat black. Then an over coat of gold or bronze with a verdigris sponged on will give the look of 4 of the most beautiful bronzes you are likely to see this side of Europe.

They are offered as seen in the photo. Deliver can be arranged. $5500 for the set of 4 is a bargain that I don't often present, but I must admit that I bought them on a whim. I turned around and saw them and just had to buy them. I have not doubt that others will love them as much or more than I. The only possible question would be weight and delivery, a problem that can be solved.

And on the question of mass and logistics, that is part of what makes these beautiful and enchanting ladies so desirable. If anybody could drive down and haul them away in the family SUV, even at the price, well, there would be at least 3 sets in every up-scale neighborhood.

Put them in your secluded garden for tranquil contemplation, or display to be seen from the street to become a local landmark, either way, you know you want them. Remember--I only have the one set!

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GULF PLACE--SANTA ROSA, BEACH, FL. OUR FIRST YARDSALE THERE!

MAN! Does it ever get cold in paradise! This past week-end I headed down to GULF PLACE at Santa Rosa Beach, Fl. Well I'm here to tell you that the phrase, "SUNNY FLORIDA", just wasn't hittin' it that day. It was cold, rainy, and very windy. Everybody including myself had their hands as far down in their pockets to keep warm. I didn't even take any pictures, as I did not want to risk frostbite. "If they don't touch it, they won't buy it", is the standard mantra in this industry.

O.K.--O.K., I'M OVER IT!

Now that I have gotten all that p...... and moaning out of my system, let me give you the good news. First, Gulf Place is a beautiful venue to hold any type event in Santa
Rosa Beach. The developers took great care to give the locals an outlet for anything that can be conceived.
Second, I have done two other shows in the exact same space that I was in Saturday, and I made lots of money.
Third, Santa Rosa Beach, like every other development on 30-A, spares no expense in finding good people to run their shows.

The only uncontrollable variable was, of course, the weather, and anybody in the "business" knows that you have to take it like it comes.

With all the positive things going for it, another event at Gulf Place is sure to be profitable for me. I am waiting to hear what the next thing will be and if I can fit it into my already busy schedule this season.

Stay tuned for an update!

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larrycook351@gmail.com

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES--LARRY THE LIZARD IS ON THE LOOSE!

If you thought that ARNOLD-THE PIG was big, wait until you see LARRY-THE LIZARD at the upcoming festivals! Towering NINE feet over the landscape, this monster commands and demands attention. Check out my festival schedule in the left hand column "WHERE THE HECK IS WALDO" to find out where I will be in your neighborhood or call or e-mail if you don't see anything near-by. This is the first of many "over-the-top" items that will be available this season for my customers. Come by to browse, shop, buy, or just chat. If it's weird or off-beat, who knows, maybe I can find it for you.
706-302-8902
larrycook351@gmail.com