American Pickers

Hi Bloggy Friends! Are any of you needing a good Junkin' fix like me?? Are you dreaming of spring and what it will bring? Already looking through the seed catalogs, planning the new flowers or vegetables that will be added to your garden this year? Thinking of Spring Cleaning (or dreading it) Sunshine? Or are you like me and anticipating the start of the Junkin' Season? Yard Sales, Estate Sales, Flea Markets, Barn Sales....oh my!......when all the treasures are revealed?

For me, I can't wait! I've had enough of the snowy, rainy, dreary days. I want my sunshine, new flowers, spring birds and new JUNK!! Today I spotted a Yard Sale sign and my heart went pitter patter!! I couldn't believe my eyes, a yard sale! Unfortunately, there wasn't anything good to be had! But it was a glimmer of hope, the light at the end of the tunnel, spring is on it's way, the junkin' season will soon begin.I have to confess that my lust, desire, want, need for the junkin' season to start has been exaggerated by a new show I discovered on the History Channel. Maybe some of you have already seen the show.....American Pickers? My first encounter with.......... what is now my absolutely favorite show, was a couple of days ago. I stumbled across it while flicking through the channels. Now I scan the TV Guide searching for their time slot. No longer do I covet HGTV, no, HGTV no longer holds any interest for me with their programs...House Hunters, House Hunters International, Virgin Property owners, First Time Home Buyers, etc, etc, etc. Whatever happened to the decorating and gardening aspect of HGTV? Is it now on at an obscure time?With the economy the way it is, I certainly am not interested in spending hundreds of thousand on a new home! I want ideas on how to make my house a home, on a budget.

Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz make up the team of "Pickers" and they travel around the country in search of their wares. Usually travelling off the beaten path, along back roads, seeking out rural towns, meeting collectors, hoarders, antique dealers and an occasional historian who often have great stories about the items they have, in hopes of having the opportunity to search through packed barns, basements and attics in search of buried treasures. All I can say is..I want to be a part of this team!! They get GREAT pieces of junk! I was so drawn to my new found love and the treasures they were finding, that I had to tell my kids "Don't bother me, momma has a new love and unless the house is on fire or you have killed your brother, Don't bother me!"

Mike Wolfe is the owner of Antique Archeology, a specialist shop that sells, antiques, vintage items and folk art in the sleepy town of Le Claire, Iowa.

Frank Fritz is his partner in "Picking" and has been Mike's friend for over 20 years.

Danielle Colby Cushman is part of this crew, but is usually at the shop, holding down the fort, tracking leads or packaging shipments, etc.

If you are needing a "Junk" fix and if you love the chippy, rusty, vintage, unique item, then you will not be disappointed by this show. Check your local listings for times.

In the junking world, those who search, dig and hunt for the treasures, that fill the antique, shabby, vintage shops, flea markets, barn sales, etc. are known as pickers. Isn't that exactly what most of us do?? Pick? Indeed...we are "Pickers".

Until Later,

~Toni~