Lake House Marketplace

06/18/2026

Raise your hand if you love Wing Nite just as much as we do!

We'll have a variety of wings (boneless and traditional) and sauces. We'll also be servin' up your buffet favorites, like the Country's Best Chicken, pizza, sides, salad, and dessert.

Learn more @ pizzaranch.com/wing-nite

06/18/2026

06/16/2026

Thank you followers for your support!

06/15/2026

Check out my new post on antiquing at Village Antiques and Home Decor, Johnson City

06/15/2026

CAROL'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE: cont'd.

Next stop: Johnson City, Tennessee to visit Village Antiques and Home Decor, Johnson City. I was looking forward to seeing this mall since it's been ranked nationally in the top 50 and it did not disappoint!

I spent an hour or so, combing through the mall and taking it all in. There were lots of booths filled with curated antique and vintage displays but also booths carrying newer home decor items.

The mall has a very healthy selection of Blue Ridge dinnerware, including a beautiful pattern I had never seen before...French Peasant. There are a good variety of booths and wares, from primitive to Asian, shabby chic, Victorian and traditional and more which were nicely staged and organized. I did see a couple of reproduction pottery pieces that were tagged as vintage but as always, knowledge is a buyer's best friend! 😉

I made some purchases there of items that made the trip back to Iowa with me including Bavarian fish plates, a wicker wall planter and some transferware plates. Prices were very reasonable, too!

The staff was fun and friendly and I recommend a trip to Village Antiques if you're in the area!

Next stop: Knoxville, TN

Spirit Lake Antique Mall Iowa Antique Network Pizza Ranch

06/13/2026

06/13/2026

Carol's Excellent Adventure: Day 1

It was a long and harrowing drive to Elizabethton, TN. I had hope to stop along the way to check out some antique and junk shops in Asheville, NC that I had seen on one of my favorite YouTube accounts, Amanda's Mercantile, but the weather had other plans for me. The rain and hail, along with zero to low visibility, kept my white-knuckled hands gripped to the steering wheel.

I forged ahead to my next stop- Downtown Elizabethton. I was immediately charmed by this quaint, historic town and its warm and welcoming community! The Main Street is lined with one antique shop after another, housed in old brick buildings... definitely, my kind of town! Unfortunately, most of the shops weren't open for business during my stay so, if you plan a trip there, you'll want to check business hours in advance.

My stay at the The Downtown Post was wonderful and I highly recommend this boutique hotel which was once the old post office. There's no staff on site so it's all run on the honor system but help is just a phone call or text away, if needed.

The following morning, I met up with my friend, Jon Sankas, who showed me around this beautiful city and told me all about its long and interesting history. Next we headed to his hair studio at TLC Massage. If you're in town and in need of some pampering or beautification, this is the place to go! And, be sure to ask for Jon!

More to come in my Day 1 excursions....

Spirit Lake Antique Mall Iowa Antique Network Pizza Ranch