Oofdah! For those of you who don’t know, that’s Minnesota-speak for “oh, my gosh,” “thank goodness,” or “whew!” Although the holidays are a warm, wonderful, and magical time of the year, it’s always nice to get back to real life. It’s kind of like the welcome feeling of sleeping in your own bed after a fabulous vacation. Now that the Christmas trees are down, the decorations carefully stored, and the kids are back in school, it’s time to shake off the holiday cobwebs spun while viewing one too many Lifetime movies in front of the cozy fire and gear up for the spring—or should I say flea-market season? Yes, sir, it’s time to get your note pads and calendars out and start planning for some weekends away with family and/or friends to some of your favorite fleas. Although junking is great all year long, there is nothing quite like the frenzy found at spring markets. Everyone is kissing cabin fever good-bye and whistling a happy junking tune. Oh, and the treasures you’ll find…..always the best at opening markets.

While laying out your schedule, don’t forget to go through your flea-market survival kit to make sure it’s ship-shape. The snow may be gone by the time you’re outside junking, but we can’t make the same promise about the rain. Rain gear, complete with boots, is a must-have in every junker’s survival kit. We have often gone to a little flea market in What Cheer, Iowa. On our first visit to What Cheer is when we learned our lesson in preparedness. When we left bright and early it promised to be a glorious day. But by the time we reached our destination, it was raining cats and dogs and, much to my dismay, I found myself without a poncho and boots. Like an avid junker, I braved the day, but while Ki stayed nice and dry, I was one soggy little girl. So learn a lesson from me and be ready for anything Mother Nature has to offer!

What are we up to these days? As always, there is a full plate. Working with Country Home, finishing our third book, speaking at home shows, and preparing for a cross-country book tour for book #2, Junk Beautiful, that hits the book stores in late March. That sounds like a lot, but it’s all good. Ki is still bundled up working away back in Minnesota while I’m enjoying some sunshine out in the central coast of California. Minnesota ran out of summer, so I have been uprooted temporarily to beautiful California in order to wrap up book #3 that is all about outdoor living spaces. We were fortunate enough to meet and become fast friends with a lovely woman, Georgia Terrell, who has never left my side while I’ve been here. To start things off, she threw a fun welcome reception upon my arrival with fans of JUNKMARKET and Country Home. What a night! Georgia is a girl who really knows her junk and has been unbelievably helpful and kind, not to mention fun. She also happens to be a very active member of our online community for junkers, The American Junk Club. Words will never be enough to let her know how thankful we are for all of her hard work and amazing spirit. She owns an antiques store in Grover Beach, CA.  Check out her Web site at www.georgia-moon.com or—better yet—if you’re in that neck of the woods, stop by and say hello. You’ll be glad you did. Thanks, Geo!!

Now, as much as I love writing, it’s time for me to get off the chair and get a move on. The junk is calling; can you hear it? Before I go, I have just a couple more things. Don’t forget to get ready for spring hunting, because it’s right around the corner and will be here before you know it. If you want to find out more about what we are up to or where we will be, check out our Web site at www.junkmarketstyle.com or www.americanjunkclub.com. Check often, as dates for the book tour are being determined as I write.  If you find that we are at an event in your neighborhood, please stop by and visit. We’d love to meet you. Last (but not least), Junk Beautiful, Room by Room Makeovers with JUNKMARKET Style will be released the last week in March—or you can pre-order your copy on www.amazon.com. That’s it for now, happy junkers!

Until next time, take care—and we’ll see you on junk pile.
Sue and Ki