Lucky for Jeff

After I grumbled a bit about the farm being mostly work and little play, Dan made Jeff promise to have some "Marianne-time".  He was probably dreading the possibilities, until Aunt Rita and Uncle Palmer arrived on our doorstep late Friday night for a farm weekend and just like that, Jeff is off the hook. 

Shortly after lunch and a tour of the farm, Aunt Rita and I hightailed it to downtown Mt. Carroll, where we whiled away the afternoon on Market Street. We take our time sorting through the myraid of stuff at dabluz boutique, where I score a two-strand vintage pearl necklace for $12.  

dabluz is part of the shops @glenview, a 3,000 square foot hodgepodge of rooms located below the historic Hotel Glenview. There are handmade treasures, repurposed stuff and raw materials for the yet-to-be-made. A new tenant since my last visit is the Driftless Area Stillroom, an upscale wine and cheese shop that would look and feel at home in Hinsdale. We meet the proprietor Penny. I wish I asked about the unique name ~ there has to be a story behind it.

Our favorite stop on Market Street is New Morning Glass, where a wonderful glass artist named Mary is always gracious and eager to talk shop. 

Last year, she showed Deena and I the four-season, four-panel piece she was completing for a nearby barn-turned home.  It was gorgeous. Aunt Rita and I saw another work, the twelfth and final stained glass window for First Brethren church in Lanark. It was equally gorgeous and interesting for the quilter in Aunt Rita to see Mary's template and process.

We drop into a couple shops I didn't know existed ~ Charlotte Arvelle Glass and Now & Zen Gallery, where we have a nice conversation with Heather, a teacher and artist who hopes to bring art enrichment to Mt. Carroll's youth. Final stop is Brick Street Coffee, a gift boutique and coffee shop located in the renovated Kraft Building. Back at the farm three hours later, where our presence was not missed. Later that evening, we dined at Bella's so I could wear my new pearls and admire Mary's stained glass booths. The food was delicious too, thanks to the creative efforts of Troy and Shaina. We want to keep them cookin'!