The Red Ladder.............

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened before us." HELEN KELLER

The good news............

The Red Ladder is closing today. The busy season is just too short for us to survive. We will return to the house we purchased several years ago in northeastern Michigan. It is three hours from Suttons Bay, in need of much repair, and it waits patiently for our return. We will miss our many friends here. We'll miss the beauty of Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties, and we'll miss the joys and the struggles of owning our own business. The good news is that Mike is making great progress from a stroke suffered last summer. We will be able to work on our house and gardens TOGETHER!! I will continue my blog and hope you will follow our journey. Sue

It's blustery.............

Our friend Andy LePere took this picture of the shop in December, but it's the perfect picture for this snowy blustery day in February. Sue

New snow...........

Everything was dusted with new snow last night, including the hollyhocks. Sue

For the garden........

This cast stone owl is fun inside but is made to be out in the garden where it will age to a darker brown. Sue

Today's special...............

I walk by the Chinese resturant on my way home for lunch. The special today is one of my favorites and perfect for this cold snowy Monday. Not for lunch, but tonight for dinner maybe. Sue

Memories...........

I've always been drawn to the abandoned, the chipped, and the crackled. If it were only bowls, plates, and platters it would be an insignificant problem. However, my love affair with abandoned, chipped, and crackled houses has been a more costly addiction. It has led us down a most challenging path! My favorite bowl has been packed and unpacked all along the way. Sue

Garden.............

These oversized bell jars have wired glass stoppers. Great for displaying plants, jewlery, and other special treasures. Sue

Hopeful winter weekend...........

Out of state license plates and a beautiful blue sky should be good for a busy winter weekend. Sue

Behind the scenes................

Mike has been busy fixing, sanding, and painting. Sue

Another white cupboard.............

I don't need another white cupboard. But I want this one. It's sixty inches tall, eighteen inches deep, and forty-two inches wide. I feel like the cupboard is mine during these quiet winter months. As spring and summer approach I'll be anxious. I'll put a HOLD tag on it. That gives me time. Time to talk to myself. I don't need another white cupboard! Sue

New business card...............

I really like our new business cards. Thank-you Colleen Zanotti! Sue

Weekend auction,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

A charming grey mirror found at the auction. Sue

No flowers for Valentine's Day...............

I love flowers. I love planting and weeding, mulching and watering. I love flowers overflowing from window boxes, on porches, and in the garden. However, I've never liked flowers in the house. Mike will save a little money today,but he knows all too well what the cost will be when the first garden center opens in the spring! Happy Valentine's Day. Sue

Struggling with Saturdays.............

I love retail and having my own business more than anything I have ever done. I work Monday through Saturday. However for thirty-five years I worked Monday through Friday and the weekends were sacred. I guess that's why I struggle with Saturdays. Sue

Friday............

I read somewhere that Friday is a gift so open it slowly and enjoy it. SUE

Kitchen linen...............

Boiled cotton and linen napkins, grain sack fabric in red or blue stripe, and hemp towels with a tab for hanging. Sue

Rise and shine...............

Bob and his crew were busy clearing snow from the village streets and sidewalks this morning. I took this picture from the bedroom window. No sleeping in here! Sue

Tim..................

If you've been to the Red Ladder you probably know Tim. Tim has been visiting and helping since we opened our shop. He calls us the Famous Red Ladder. Tim has helped carry many heavy pieces of furniture in and out. He has shoveled snow, washed windows, and run errands. In the summer he brings me cucumbers. This Christmas Tim took everything out of the dumpster behind our apartment looking for our lost keys. Thank-you Tim. Sue and Mike

New stamps..............

Michele has been working for a week with new doll stamps. They are beautiful and just in time for Valentine's Day. Thank-you Michele. Sue

Super Bowl chili.............

Mike is working his usual Sunday shift at the store and I'm having a beautiful sunny day off, but I'll be sure to get the Super Bowl chili on the stove soon! Sue

Alleys...............

Every morning I walk down the alley to the post office. It's the perfect way to start the day. The alley feels friendly and comfortable. Alleys bring back memories of my best friend, hollyhocks, and neighbors. I'm glad Suttons Bay has alleys. Sue

Tangle of baskets..........

These iron baskets have a rusty white finish and come in two sizes. Sue

Mom and pop operation..........

During these winter months the memories of being really busy slowly fade away. But this morning I'm remembering one very hot day in the summer when the store was filled with customers. Mike was in charge of sales so there would be less chances for mistakes!! I was wrapping, running to the closet for more bubble wrap, and trying to keep the packing tape from going off it's track. I was also getting nervous when a lady said, "What is taking SO long?" The customer behind her said, "Oh it's one of those mom and pop operations." And of course she was right. Sue

Gardening............

Clay pots waiting to be filled. Sue

The cottonwood tree...........

A very old cottonwood tree grows right smack in front of our store window.

When we moved into this space most everyone said, " Sue you'll have to have the tree cut down." I was shocked. The grey green bark looks handsome in the window. The cottonwood provides plenty of shade on a hot afternoon to a store without AC. The village also wanted the tree cut down because it's old and messy. Luckily it is growing on a small plot of land owned by the landlord and Ken says the cottonwood should stay. Sue

Collecting..........

I fall in love with nearly everything that comes into the shop. However, I can usually say no to taking things home.........unless it's English ironstone. Sue