10th Anniversary Celebration

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to celebrate my 10th Anniversary at The Antique Gardener. I started my shop because I had always dreamed of having my own business and thought it would be something I could do to make a little money, raise my kids and work with the things I love - antiques and plants. Although it has not been an easy journey I am happy to say that my little business has turned out to be exactly what I dreamed of. I have my two beautiful children with me at work and I am able to do the things I love to do each and every day.
I want to thank all of my family but especially my husband Dusty, our crazy kids Jack & Emma and my parents. They have helped me move and remodel at three different locations (and each time I moved I was pregnant!) They have spent countless hours babysitting, unloading and moving furniture, mowing lawns and a million other little things that help me every day.

A very special thank you to Vicki and Norma - my dear friends that help me out at the shop when I just can't be there every day. I truly couldn't do it without your help - and honestly it wouldn't be any fun without you there!

Finally, I would like to thank my wonderful, loyal customers. Many of you were there when the shop opened in 2001 in a 200 square foot shed. Then you joined me when I made the move onto Main Street in Amador City and finally our move to this huge rambling old home in Sutter Creek. You have watched both of my children grow up - often in a playpen behind the counter, sometimes crying, sometimes sleeping, always cute. You have tolerated my "Attempted Hours" or the occasional closed sign because of a sick baby or a quick "Back in a Minute" dash to school at 2:00 every day. Thank you for your patience and generosity. Thank you for your support. Most of all, thank you for all of your positive comments. It is the positive energy I get from my customers that makes me look forward to going to work every day. I thrive on your compliments and ideas. It is because of my customers that I'm looking forward to another 10 years!!! (shhh...don't tell Dusty!)

A Taste of the Ranch

A couple weeks ago my family and I were lucky enough to spend a Saturday afternoon at one of my favorite events - A Taste of the Ranch - a wine event in the vineyard at Shake Ridge Ranch just outside of Sutter Creek.

Shake Ridge Ranch is only a couple miles down the road from where we are building our new house. My husband, Dusty, did some tractor work for the Kraemer family when they were first developing the vineyard. I love this event because it is so relaxing. You are able to stroll through the vineyard - wine glass in hand - tasting different wines right where the grapes are grown.

They even have root beer "tasting" for the kids - which Jack and Emma loved!


Em was having a great time spilling her root beer down the front of her shirt!


My little cowboy.

My Dad actually set these giant boulders up in an overgrown cairn of sorts when he was doing some backhoe work at the ranch. The family loved them and they have been there ever since!

The wine is bottled under the label Yorba Wines and is absolutely delicious! The Tempranillo is my favorite. You can find more information or purchase their wines at YorbaWines.com

I love this section of old fence next to an old oak tree.

We arrived a little late to the event so Dusty and the kids were rummaging around for the cheese and crackers. This old barn is where we tasted the Shake Ridge Red - and the Bucking Rootbeer from Jackson Hole, WY. A great wine and Jack's favorite root beer!

I love all the woodpecker holes in this old post.

It was pretty overcast that day but the vineyard was still beautiful!

Jack is growing up so fast - but not too fast - it's root beer in the bottle!

Our family rarely spends a Saturday afternoon relaxing. We are usually working - either Dusty's on a job or I'm at the shop. It was a great day to be together enjoying the beautiful area we are fortunate to call home - I hope you enjoyed it too!