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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Trippin' On Barns and A Burger Joint

Last Saturday, Howard and I headed out
in his car for a little drive northwest of here.

Goodbye, That Old House and Trusty Red Minivan.
We are backing out of the driveway and hitting the road.
I don't think I've ever shared a picture of our TRASH CANS before.  Class.  Pure class.

I was on the trail of the famous Annie Sloan Chalk Paint,
and hoping for a few good pictures along the backroads of New Jersey.
Howard was on the trail of lunch at someplace interesting.

We both found what we wanted.

Just south of our goal of Lafayette, New Jersey, we passed this old building:

 I want to think it's an old school, but I have to be honest; it's an old church, no longer used.
It's in rough shape, but someone wisely put Plexiglas over the last stained glass window for protection. 

Paint job, anyone?
Looks like That Old House before last June's makeover.

I do love those shingles on the steeple.  All alligator-y & scaly looking.
Once upon a time, someone put a lot of work into this house of worship.

Just up Route 15 is our goal -- the small town of Lafayette, which is Mecca for antiques lovers.

I was headed for this place, below, to invest in some chalk paint.
Yes, you buy regular paint.  You invest in the Annie Sloan stuff; it's -- um -- costly.
That's Howard trying to beat me to the door, so he can get in first, hollering,
"Crazy woman right behind me!  Don't sell her ANYTHING!"
 There was a mill on this property years ago; the mill race still flows.
 On Route 15, across the stream, are lots and lots and lots of other places to spend your greenbacks.
Which would be greenbacks well spent, as there are lots and lots and lots of beautiful things.

There's even a gift shop called The Chocolate Goat.
The goat outside the door is, sadly, not made of genuine chocolate. I tested.

Anyway, I bought chalk paint in Old White and Paris Grey, and I'll let you know how I like using it.

Howard, meanwhile, had gotten faint and hungry from signing the credit card slip at Sweet P.E.A.'s for the chalk paint, 
so we continued up Route 15 looking for a likely lunch stop, and found a place called Chatterbox,
which is in Augusta, New Jersey.  Who knew there was an Augusta, New Jersey?  I didn't.
But then I've only lived in the Garden State for twenty-five years.

Chatterbox is a trip.
The view from my seat:
 Or, if I looked the other way, this:
Great fun place, and plopped in what seems to this city girl like the middle of nowhere.
Especially when I can look out the windows and see this:
Yes!  Old barns!
And here they are, ready for their closeups, Mr. DeMille.
The largest barn:
 Used to be red, apparently.
I'm thinking this one may still be in use, but I'm not sure I'd go into it.

Next, this barn, complete with silo:
 Clearly no longer in use.  At least, I hope not.
 Hmm, also used to be red, if the color up under the eaves is any indication.

And the last one of the three, and in the roughest shape, is this little fellow:
Also a former redhead.
It must take one heck of a lot of summers and winters to wear off red barn paint so thoroughly.


If you are interested in visiting Lafayette for antiques, or paint, or chocolate goats,
click here for listings of dealers and shops.
Or, shoppes, if you prefer.
For the Chatterbox website, click here.

Or, just come along with me the next time I visit! -- Cass

P. S.  My daughter Annie's managing with her right arm in a sling; thanks for the kind wishes yesterday.
*******************************************
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19 comments:

  1. I will come antiquing with you -- in September! Cass -- the two of us out antiquing -- that could be dangerous! Keep scouting!

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  2. So what did you and Howard eat?

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    1. I had clam strips and Howard had crab cakes. I know -- fried foods! Ack! Call it a weekend indulgence. But don't tell anyone, ok?
      Oops.
      Cass
      PS Looking forward to a summer antiques jaunt with you. You buy stuff, and we'll deliver it to Kansas. Or, just keep it here for you. :-)

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  3. Great barn pictures, Cass! I have never been to those towns before. Looks like a lot of fun!
    -Shelley

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  4. Looks like the lunch place had some racin' in it so my DH would love that. He would also love the old barns & all the way home I would hear about "what a shame" they were..... Oh well, me?? Hey, I would like the church & dream about how to fix it up to live in it!!
    Enjoy the Day!!
    Marilyn

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  5. Love the old barns, but the church is truly unique. Amazing that there is one remaining stained glass window still intact!

    Looking forward to hearing your take on the A.S. paint. We (well, really Mikey) used it on an old dresser and it turned out beautifully! Eventually! One thing we found out, if you are painting over a water based paint, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint does NOT cover in one coat. In fact, it took a lot of work and layers to stop the old paint from bleeding through. A primer might be the way to go in that situation....no matter what they say!

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  6. GREAT finds! I really like that 1st one, very long!

    Thanks a bunch for joining! =)

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  7. These is the kind of trip that I so like. Great shots!

    Barn Charm

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  8. What fun, I want to go trippin' this weekend.

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  9. Looks and sounds like a wonderful day. I love that old church - it's well loved.

    Enjoy your week Cass!
    Leann

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  10. I featured your post, because you talked about a mill race? I think I took a picture of one too. Lori

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  11. Oh Cass, what an AWESOME place the Chatterbox appears to be! How fun it would be to eat there. Sure wish it was just a hop, skip, and jump from here!!

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  12. Cass,
    My uncle was dairy farmer from Lafayette and at one time the Mayor! Small world. I probably still have family there.
    Carol

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  13. I can't believe your post today! I too live in New Jersey and am actually meeting two girlfriends for a day of antique shopping tomorrow in Lafayette. I will for sure, make it a point to have lunch at the Chatterbox. Thanks so much for the great information. I am new to your blog & love it! Judy M.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Jersey Girl Judy!
      I'm going antiqing with a friend tomorrow, Thursday, also -- but we won't be in Lafayette. too bad!

      The Chatterbox is a hoot -- my husband loved it. Nice people there, too.

      Have a wonderful time in Lafayette, and don't bite the Chocolate Goat outside the gift shop. :-)
      Thanks for visiting That Old House!
      It looks as if it's going to be a beautiful spring in our part of the world.
      Best wishes, Cass

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  14. what a great grouping. thank you for sharing with us at barn charm. i will be linking up next week. missed out due to being in disney world. take care. (:

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  15. Oh my gosh. I follow your blog, first picture that loads is The Chocolate Goat. I live in the next town. Lafayette village and the antique stores in Lafayette are always a fun stop.

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  16. Obviously, I'm a bit behind the times on reading your posts! Oh, to live in an area of the country such as yours with all the neat little towns, antique shops, scenery and such! Here in OK, we don't have quite the quaintness and beauty that you have in your part of the country. If I lived closer...much, MUCH closer, I'd love to go antiquing and hitting the back roads with you. :) I am envious.

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  17. The old church truly defines the genre classic design, or should I say vintage. The idea of it having alligator shingles and that rustic old stained glass window is just plain wonderful. Hmmm.. it would be a pretty good attraction for that place and a nice landmark, if it were to be maintained properly. That’s a pretty good job of old building hunting for both of you!

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