While at the pet store the other day getting dog food, I happened upon a blue fish in a little plastic cup labeled Bill Cosby. Had to bring him home. Bill Cosby now lives in a bowl on our bedside table. So funny each time Otis comes in our room in the morning and evening saying “How is Bill Cosby?”. Best name. Hope he lives a long time.

“Damaged Goods” by Gang of Four

happy birthday, my sweet holly.

Vintage Seed Pack USA forever stamps. 

Everyone once in awhile a customer will send us a glimpse into their home and we get to see where an item we’ve sold sits in its new space. It was especially sweet to see into the home of a very loyal customer of ours through the years, Kyla Herbes. Mixed in throughout her home are pieces she has found with us. We love seeing how she fit in the large LUV sign in that perfect space above her stairway, framed her collection of black and white mugshots, hung our zoological rhino banner within her son’s bedroom and the Photo Equipment sign above their own photobooth (what!?, so cool.) Thanks for sharing these images of your lovely home with us, Kyla. We are happy to be a part of it.

As kids, both Stu and I grew up with collectors in our family. My mom used to take me to long rides out to the country where we’d scour tiny antique shops and stay in musty bed and breakfast inns. Stu’s dad and aunt tell us stories of going down to the basement of their Brooklyn apartment searching for treasures thrown away by others. It wasn’t until I moved away and lived on my own that I grew to appreciate the places my mom used to take me and began to love something that showed its age, was perfectly time worn and once loved. I’m sure my mom thinks it is amazing how the antique outings and garage sale hunts with her have woven their way into my life now.

Since we started Three Potato Four when Holly was just two, we have so many photos of both of them on our many buying trips.  It has become harder for the kids to come with us with school and life. But we sneak a trip in with them for time to time. As stressful as it may be for Stu and I making sure they don’t touch everything or break everything- they have both already come to appreciate the old things we love and sell and the unusual places we go to find them.

Places like these should be kept secret but this place is too good not to share. We just returned from a short trip from a place six miles outside Milford, PA called Dwarfskill Lodge. The 575 acres of Dwarfskill Lodge once was a hunting club founded in the 192os, on it sits three cabins, a running stream/river where trout are plentiful, rows and rows of pines and abundant wildlife. Sean Strub, owns this magical land – Dwarfskill Preserve and also owns the beautifully restored Hotel Fauchere in town. He showed us around the camp when we arrived telling us about the history of the place and informing us of wildlife we may encounter on our stay. The cabins are cozy and vary in sizes. The Lodge, the Caretakers Cottage and the Loveshack. Much to our happiness each one is decorated with many beautifully chosen antiques and art pieces. It is a private peaceful place.

Our days consisted of hikes to the river and into the woods, discovering wild turkey and bear tracks along the snow, fishing for trout along the rivers edge, peeking into outhouses and abandoned buildings like the old chicken coop, gathering forest souvenirs and playing within makeshift teepees in the forest. We cooked our own food in the backyard bonfire we made and only left once during our stay to get bait and milk at the local tackle shop.

It’s 575 acres to roam and explore. A short trip from Philly and even closer to NYC. Please visit this magical place, you will love it. Tell Sean Shrub we sent you.

Thank you to all that came out to the Print + Paper Show this past weekend. It’s always inspiring for us to gather together wonderful people and spread the word about their hard-working small businesses.

“Step” new song from Vampire Weekend