I really do like this time of year, with the wealth of fairs and festivals around in which to enjoy fresh autumn air, support local farmers, artists and craftspeople, and the chance to take home unique and handmade items.  It seemed every small community in Southeast Michigan decided to do their respective festivals the same darn weekend, which was a little limiting.  So I settled for two stops this past Saturday.

I received word of a “Gypsy Faire” in Almont, MI, which is east and a bit north of where I live, along picturesque country roads.  There wasn’t a lot to it once I got there, I thought; just some booths and tents on a large yard outside an old, handsome building.  The site was originally the town mill.  But the live guitar (folk music) was pleasant enough, and cider and warm, fresh doughnuts were plentiful.  The real treat to me, though, was inside the building.  The first floor houses mostly antiques, plus a small coffee and ice cream bar.  The display I noticed first was just inside the door, where a lady had the most lovely vintage and antique linens and bits of fabric, jewelry, and lots of handmade goodies.  I marked a few things mentally, not wanting to spend my pennies at the first place I stopped at.  😉  I continued upstairs which was devoted to a used book shop.  I will be coming back here.  Not only was the selection admirable, the whole area was so serene with comfortable chairs, well-labeled sections and an extremely sweet lady behind the counter.  I sat down and thumbed through several books, and totally forgot where I was in this other world.  At last, I just selected a three-book set for $6 (the “Emily of New Moon” series) and returned to my “linen lady” downstairs.  I purchased a gorgeous, hand-embroidered infant’s gown from around 1910, which will be placed upon a frilly hanger and displayed honorably in my workroom.  I also left with a couple of very pretty embroidered hankies, one with colorful pansies since I adore those.  The owner’s prices were very attractive as was her selection.  She also has a store on Etsy if anyone wishes to check out her wares:

EmmyLucy

I decided to try to find the second festival in the area, though I was unsure of its precise location.  I hadn’t far to go south along M-53 before I saw the first sign.  Turning accordingly, I meandered down a gravel road for a bit, one of an increasingly long line of cars, so I guessed I was on the right track.  At length, I came to the Mt. Bruce Station Sheep Farm.   I am allergic to sheep’s wool, but there was lots else to see and touch and, with some talented soapmakers’ tents, smell.  The link detailing the Sheep and Wool Festival is sufficient for description, and hopefully my pictures below will tell the rest of the story.  😉  Clicking on a picture will open it up to its original file size; WordPress shrinks things a bit.

Michigan Sheep & Wool Festival – Romeo

I didn’t realize our spiders got so big here LOL!  This charming roof was one of the first things I saw entering the farm.

Beautiful Angora Rabbits!  I got to pet the gray one, and he was SO soft…

Some of the guests of honor…

The farm also has a bit of orchard.  The trees are loaded with apples, which I don’t think can be seen in this picture; what also isn’t seen are any fall colors.  We’ve had a warm September and are still 95% green.  Another two weeks will see a much different landscape.  😉