My Favorite Store

For those of you who have never been to Minnesota, I have a reason you should come. It's called Maple Lake Antiques. The best antique store ever. Period.

A friend and I took a road trip a few weeks ago to Buffalo, MN and made a few stops along the way. Ran into a funeral in Eden Valley at the Corner Bar (long story there...but just to clarify, we stopped there to eat lunch, not to get sloshed) and eventually made our way to Maple Lake.

I've gotten several things at this store over the years and it has ruined me for most other antique stores. The prices are ridiculously low compared to other places.
I have always wanted one of these antique tool boxes...this one is huge and will soon be filled with flowers.
This chair. $4.50. Seriously. If it looks short and squatty, that's because it is, it's not the camera angle. I have never seen anything like it. I don't know yet if I'll paint it - the seat will definitely be getting new fabric. Couldn't pass it up.

Found a bundle of cool old wooden spoons and a wooden fork. I have plans for some kitchen wall art.
And a very heavy wire crate. Can't wait to fill it with beach towels.

The next couple of items I've had for a long time, but they are so cool and were purchased at Maple Lake Antiques for a song, so I had to include them.

Mom gave me this bench several years ago - I LOVE IT. It's the perfect height to fit under my dining room window. The kids used to sit on it and look outside (I think there are even a few teeth marks on it where Maggie went to town...)
And Maggie's miniature roll top desk and chair. Something her little girl will hopefully use someday, too! (Not in any hurry for that...)

So, plan a trip to Minnesota and I'll take you there. It's huge and you can spend hours wandering. We can even go eat at the Corner Bar in Eden Valley. You never know what's going to happen at that place!