Major Announcement

Well, it is for me anyway.

Due to the overwhelming amounts of cool stuff I have accumulated I here by announce (for my own sake - not anybody elses!) that I am taking the month of February off from thrift/antique shopping.

I did this last January. I should have done it this January, but I "wasn't there" yet. You fellow collectors of all things 'cute' know exactly what I mean.

Notice that I chose a short month. And, I am taking leap year day as an invitation to interject a 'free' day of shopping in February. You know, for one of those extremely difficult blah-gray-depressing-ihavethewinterbluesandmustgetoutofhere sort of days. I might need it.

Other than that, I will be fulfilling that advice my mom gave me long ago to 'leave some for the other kids'.

My very favorite thrift store ever had everything for half price on Saturday. I bought three things. The clear glass dishes pictured above, which I had been admiring for months now. Another canister of old Tinkertoys, which THGGM pointed out were 'a much better deal at 50% off and couldn't I have waited', and something else. I don't even remember what the third thing I bought was, but I HAD to have it. OH! I remember! It was a great mattress pad! A nice thick plush cottony mattress pad that I shall cut up and make into interesting things!

Yes. That is why I have to quit. I have to actually DO something with all of the great stuff I've been buying.

Oh. And our favorite thrift store? It has only been open for a little over three years now. In January they hit the million dollar mark. I like to think that my little ventures into this thrift store have helped a lot of little children with their very expensive educational needs.

A Few More Things

Oh, look.

How DID I miss these in the post below?

I found the 'onesy' salt shaker at an antique mall today. It's in less than perfect condition, but then so am I. Before I make a purchase I usually have some idea what I want to do with it. What I lack everywhere else I make up in ideas.
So, my idea for this shaker is to use the holes in the top as a sort of 'flower frog' for a button bouquet. I do have buttons. In my mind it is a delight to behold. But since I've yet to make it, the reality remains to be seen. Or not. If I do not like it, you will not see it.


A few weeks ago I found these ration coupons.

Somewhere.

I don't see an expiration date.

THGGM suggests that I hold on to them, as I may need to use them some day.

I wonder what he means by that?

My brain works funny. I buy this stuff to USE, but then I can't use it because then I won't have it anymore.

Oh, well.

I do wonder who they belonged to, and why they didn't use them.

A Cold Saturday in January

A few weeks back as I entered Century Antique Mall I saw someone walking out with Tinkertoys. Had I seen them first, they would have been mine. But I didn't and fair is fair. So today I found this canister of Tinkertoys at a thrift store.

I used some to make these picture holders!

I know, I know. They are quirky, but I like them!

I also found this 'cool old box' (that's what the sticker said), a doily and the ribbon for pennies. Okay, dimes.

And, look, Look, LOOK! Those wooden shoes that I wanted for Christmas were still available. I hope they fit Jonge. I see some klompen dancing in his future.

THGGM found this great Watts pitcher. He also found something for which we have been searching for years. It had a fabulous price, and since we are good customers at this place, he was given a great price.

We had planned to spend the day at home, covered up in blankets drinking coffee, escaping the cold. Being the brave little soldiers that we are, we ventured out and did not regret it.

As an added bonus, we ran into several people that we hadn't seen in years. Apparently we aren't the only couple we know who thirft and antique shop on cold Saturdays in January.

More Weekend Thrift Finds

Before I was hit with what seems to have been an Ophthalmic Migraine, THGGM and I managed to get in some quality thrift and antique shopping. The rocker was a thrift find (Nice Twice on 28th St in Grandville). I also found some handled heart cookie cutters to use as Valentine's Day decor - these from an antique mall.

One of my favorite antique malls is Somewhere in Thyme, on Chicago Dr. in Grandville. They have a wide variety of antique/thrift/collectibles. Something for everyone. Here I found two more mirrors, so now I have an official collection. This also means my insurance provider will classify me as a serious nut-job. But, whatever.

Anyway. I plan to hang these on the wall in my pink bathroom. We are still trying to decide on a color. White seems too stark, so, I think a pale khaki will be the color. Now. Just so you know, the mirrors were unbelievably well priced to begin with, and were 50% off. As I was carrying them through the store, I had the mirror part facing out. The mirror caught a ceiling light and sent the beam directly into my eye. I remember thinking, 'oh. great.' But, nothing came of it immediately. Later, once all the other migraine symptoms appeared (except for a headache) I remembered that flash of light. Must remember to become smarter. I'll put that on my list of resolutions.

And, this lovely circa 1962 Caps and Mittens book I found at Century Antique Mall, on Century (duh) near 131 and Wealthy (it's visible from the highway, oh, and goldie hawn once bought something there. i hope she didn't need to use the bathroom, because it is icky. as in - try to hold it until you get back home - icky.)

Anyway, this book has a pattern for mittens in crochet and also those old fashioned granny square slippers. Must try these two someday. I've not quite yet resolved to do that though.

Oh! And I found one more thing I'd been searching for since before Jonge was born. A top! I've had my eye on a particular design which I've been watching at two different antique places. One was $22 and the other $18. But, I just couldn't do it. Not even for dearly loved Jonge. Saturday I found the same style for a mere seven dollars. It said 'as is' due to a dent in the bottom. I didn't care, and I figured that Jonge wouldn't, since he plays with all of my other dented and banged up treasure trove of oddments without complaint, so I bought it. He LOVED it. Absolutely LOVED it. ("It Thspinths!" he said in amazement.)

And Famke? The rocker did the trick. She started to cry, I settled into the rocker. Immediately she nuzzled into my neck , and slept. Even if it only works this once, it's worth it.

Yes. I Did.

I went thrift shopping this morning. I know, I know. MOST people were at either the grocery store or the mall. At least that is what eye witnesses have told me.

But not me. I went to my two usual thrift stores like I do most Saturday mornings.

I found wonderful things, too! And, this really cool desk chair! Isn't it PERFECT for my desk? I thought so. THGGM must have thought so too, because we got it.

One Can Never Have Too Much - Oh, How Cute Is That?

Can one?

I found the assorted blocks (i have dozens and dozens of these), 1930's music book and the 1 1/2 yards of calico print at my favorite thrift store. All for under two dollars.

Next we went to my new favorite antique mall where I found the enamel ware pot (i nearly squealed, it was that cute and cheap) and the white box. The tag tied to it said 'treasure box'. Tell me, how could I NOT buy it?

THGGM and I are continuing to move furniture. We now have a love seat and one chair in the den. The love seat and the chair do not match at all, but we keep telling ourselves that we don't care. I think we do care, but not enough to move anything else again for quite some time.

Last Week Friday

A week ago, THGGM, my aunt and I went to Greendale, WI to spend the morning shopping. One of my purchases was a 'Soups' cookbook. Making soup is MY kind of cooking! I've already found several recipes that I plan to try.

Greendale also has many charming little shops, and is a destination for a lot of bus trips. This year there was a group from Zeeland, MI. Nice to be shopping with a group of people who have that familiar 'dutch' look and who are also sniffing out bargains!

In the afternoon we went antique shopping. I'm not in the market for anything large and expensive. No. I have a garage FULL of that.

But, there are always things I'm on the look-out for. Things that I won't know that I want until I see them.

Like the mirror. THAT is EXACTLY the color I want my kitchen to be. I love the vintage look this kitchen has, so all I really want to change are the walls.

I've always thought the color was 'butter cream yellow' but know I know it is 'celluloid'.

Oh, and I'm always on the hunt for the yellow plaques. I haven't seen one in years, it seems. But, I remain ever hopeful.

Some 'Things' We Picked Up Along the Way

I had a small white dresser on the mantle, but it hardly showed, so when I found this tiny maroon chest with three drawers, I wanted it. THGGM bought it without my knowledge, which makes it even more special. The tiny off white vase is like several larger ones I have in pink and in pale green. I've never seen one this small!

"Hope" will be the word for me this holiday season. Well, and "Peace", "Joy", and "Love"!

THGGM found the braided 'rug' to top the bookcase, and also the reproduction clock. I am SO glad that he likes shopping!

THGGM found this lovely table cloth. Now we can spill on it and have another right at hand!

I found the dove-tailed wooden recipe box for under $5.00 and could not pass it up.

We also went to Taste of Home in Greendale, Wisconsin. I didn't come away with the incredible bargains like last year, but I did get two hardcover cookbooks that were on my list. Well, not a 'list' actually, more like an 'I'll know it when I see it' sort of mental list.

I will try to post more later. I do this because if I don't, I won't remember what we did!

The $&%^# Wallpaper

I did manage to fit in some thrift/antique shopping over the weekend. I hardly spent any money at all. Some of my finds were fabulous, some were just things I thought looked interesting, but were not all that great of buys.



The flowers on the table are Daughters. Son-in-law sent them to her for her birthday. They spent the week-end in Illinois, so I got to enjoy the flowers all weekend. They are beautiful, and smell lovely!

I was sure I had a copy of "The Yellow Wall-paper" but since I did not find it when we moved, I thought I'd better pick up this one. It was only a dollar, but being a Dover Thrift to begin with it was only $1.50 when new. The pin was the highest priced thing I bought, and was probably the item worth the least. But, I have a place for it.

The restaurant china pitcher was only 25 cents. Buying these piece by piece is SO inexpensive.

I also found two very old piano books for 25 cents each. They are fabulous. Except, in the olden days, nobody seemed to care if everything was written in 4+ sharps or flats.

Possibly I will not be finding these for so cheap, as the cashier noted how old they were.

Oh, that little blue stroller was a quarter also. I'm thinking I could pop one of my doll-house babies into it for a Christmas tree decoration. Hopefully I will be able to find a pink or white one for Famke.

I did spend some time on Saturday reading "The Yellow Wallpaper". Since it is all about getting rid of ugly wallpaper, it fit in so nicely to my battle with the wallpaper in my pink bathroom.

Now stop reading if you do not want the book spoiled for you.

The first time I read it, I actually thought it was the husband who made the woman go crazy.

Now that I am older, wiser, and have lived with more than my share of hideous wallpaper, I understand it SO much better.

And if you see me...creeping along the walls of my bathroom...you will understand...it's because of the stinkin' wallpaper!!

It's made me crazy!

Well, Guess What I Did Today?

I went thrift and antique shopping! And, it was very fun, very inexpensive, very therapeutic, and didn't take much time at all.

Look what I found! A lovely 'travel bag' which looks perfect for Famke to someday carry her treasures back and forth to Beppe's house.

And, flash cards with pictures in a vintage-y manilla color, a set of 'antique' repro playing cards, three old (early 1990's) Victoria magazines, a Hansel and Gretel Little Golden Book illustrated by Eloise Wilkins - I do find this story to be horrifying for small children, so the picture of the witch fattening up Hansel in a cage will NOT be something I will be reading with Jonge for quite sometime. What was wrong with those Grimm brothers anyway?

I also found a lovely Untermeyer Anthology of Modern American Poetry.

This poor poet had the most unfortunate of names.

We hosted breakfast this morning. Pancakes! I have successfully navigated what to plug in where so as not to blow a fuse.

Although, had I known before hand that my chargers - which we use as plates - would not fit in either the dishwasher nor the sink, I would have had to keep looking for a more suitable house.

Nah. Not really. We REALLY like it here!

Thrifty Therapy

What. A. Day.

After I picked up THGGM from work, he dropped me off at my second favorite neighborhood thrift store.

I was in need of thrift shopping therapy.

And, this trip did not disappoint!

I found a "Miss Read" book and a French/English dictionary.

Three boxes of old flash cards. Oh! How I LOVE old flash cards. And, a travel Scrabble game. I actually bought it for the cute cute cute tiny wooden letters. Much smaller and thicker than the 'normal' ones. But the game is like new and seems to be complete, so I might just have to leave it alone and travel with it whole.

The books were 99 cents, the flash cards 49 cents and the like new travel Scrabble game for $1.49.

Cheap therapy. I used to pay much more.

I Bought Something

Yesterday I made a quick stop into an antique mall. I found this quaint embroidered apron for only $5.00. I couldn't believe it. They had dozens of checked 'chicken scratch' aprons anywhere from $10 - $15, yet this one, clearly much older and in nice condition, was only $5.00. The entire apron is edged in rick-rack stitched down in pink thread.

And that second picture? Proof that even 'memory wire' can get dementia.

Thrift Store Finds

THGGM and I had the day all to ourselves.

AGAIN.

We went out for breakfast alone, as everyone else is either out of town, or busy.

We went to ONE thrift store. Our favorite.

One would think that with all the packing going on, I would not want to actually bring anything into this house. But, I could not resist.

The coaster size doilies were 25 cents. Now that I know how well they tea dye, I can't resist them. The "Mille Bornes" game was $1.00. I have a playable game, this one I believe I shall use for other things. I found the book "Eighty Acres" which was written by a dutch guy who grew up on a farm in west Michigan. It seems like the kind of non-fiction I enjoy. Although the cat is blocking it, I found a Bob the Builder counting book for Baby Boy. The lavender and moss green fabric was 25 cents. And, the other fabric is a brand new - tags still on - table cloth.

Two things I did not get pictures of. Baby Boy is big into dump trucks. I found a Little Tykes dump truck in very good condition for $3.oo.

The other non-pictured item is SO cool. This thrift store sells it's furniture at rather high prices. But, they don't particularly seem to care for antiques. While we were there, two guys rolled out a large old painted cupboard. I looked at it and nearly swooned, as THGGM and I were just thinking about this one particular spot in the basement of the 'new' house. We could not think of what to put there. He said, "I'm sure we will find something". Well. did we ever. I showed it to him, and he said 'what are you willing to pay for it?' Being the tight-fisted frugal dutch girl that I am, I quoted a price. A low low price. He found the guys who had just brought it out and asked 'how much?' They said the VERY price I said I was willing to pay. If that isn't good enough, we had a 20% off card, so it was an even BETTER unbelievable price.

In the afternoon, THGGM went to pool-sit for our traveling kids. He played with their dog, too. And pulled a dead chipmunk out of the pool. I stayed home and packed some more. I don't like pools. I'd rather pack.

When THGGM got home, he decided we needed to drive to Grand Haven. It was such a beautiful ride. Walking along the channel was lovely also. We ate dinner with a view of the channel out our window. I tried to understand why anyone would want a boat. Although, the sailboats looked very pretty in the sunlight.

Of course, me being me, SOMETHING that I ate made me sick. So, we left shortly after dinner.

I like days like this. THGGM says to say good-bye to them, as we will no longer be spending any money.

No problem. We already have everything!

One Hundred and Five Year Old Hymn Book for Children

I found a great old hymn book for children (kindergarten - primary age) while antique shopping.

Oh, my. This book is not only FABULOUS looking and in great condition, the hymns, ohhhhhh, the hymns!

It actually looks very much like an old McGuffy reader in the way that it is designed. That's what first attracted me to it.

Then I got it home and the hymns are SO great. I've been annoying all of my family members with the contents of this book, and now dear blogging friends, I must tell you!

Hymn #57, which is a hymn for boys (although it tells us that the girls may listen! how thoughtful of them.) - "Don't Be Cross and Surly".

I'm planning to learn this one, and teach it to Baby Boy.

Today I learned that in 1902 when this hymn was written, "cross and surly" were not conditions from which young girls suffered.

Much more to come from my little hymn book, I am sure.

I just love the history that can be learned from nontraditional sources.

Beaded Bag

I found this beaded bag at the thrift store Saturday.

It appears to be very old, and as far as I can tell, it's in excellent condition.

There is no tag identifying it's maker.

In an antique store, this would have been locked in a case with a MUCH higher price than the $1.50 I paid for it.

Saturday Antique Store Find

I found this great book at the antique store on Saturday.

For a children's school book from the 1940's it is in very good condition.

I saw a little bit of damage on one page, and a few finger prints throughout, but those could have been mine. One never knows.

I am agonizing over whether I should shelf it, or, cut it apart to make more vintage cards.

Now that I've found one teeny tiny rip, I think I might cut it up.

I want to know these children.

They seem nice.

They have fabulous names, like Jean, Don, Nancy and Bob.

I found something I've been looking for for quite some time at the thrift store too.

It has taken the better part of an hour to upload these three pictures, so it will have to wait.

This is NOT how I want to learn patience.

Girl and Goose

I found this charming little Dutch girl marked occupied Japan on one of our weekend thrifting/antiquing forays.

If I had a lamp she could stand on, I would use her for a finial. Since I do not, she is acquainting herself with her Dutch relatives in the old kitchen cupboard. She will require a good cleaning.

She is hugging the most adorable goose! Hard to get a good picture of him.

Another Saturday Night

Oh, what a lovely day it was today!

The sun shone, the birds sang, THGGM mowed the lawn...

We thift shopped a little bit. I bought a Honer recorder for Baby Boy. I believe I will regret this early Monday morning, but, oh well. The boy does like to make music. I also picked up three summer shirts for him, and - drum roll please - a Bob the Builder Memory game! Hooray! In this family, memory is an important topic.

I found a wonderful old game with Bakelite letter cubes. That made me squeal with happiness - and also itch like crazy, as when I got it home and opened the box, it was green with mold. The box. The letters, being of a non-moldy material, are fine.

This was such stressful week. I went into emotional lockdown mode several times just to survive it. But, the week ended well.

When I got to my parents house this evening, I found my mom clothed, and in her right mind. The nasty painkiller life-sapper drug was out of her system. We had one of the longest, clearest, deepest conversations together than we have had in at least two years. I know this, because when I went to sit down to fill all of their meds for the week, mom sat on the couch. She said, I'll just leave you alone while you do that, so I won't be tempted to talk to you while you are concentrating.

I assured her she wouldn't be bothering me, and she came over to the table, where she proceeded to tell me that she could not believe how tired and confused she has been, but that TODAY she could finally think a few thoughts that made sense.

I told her how alarmed I was by how tired she had been on Thursday. Then, I told her how Baby Boy had dusted her! She said she didn't remember anything from Thursday, except that Baby Boy was there, but she wasn't with it enough to play with him. Yes. I told her, that certainly was the case!

My dad wasn't home when I arrived. She told me he had gone out to pick up milk and would be back before I left. When he came home, he was even surprised at how awake and alert she was.

I stayed for an hour. Mostly for my own sake. I needed my mom, and she was there.

I nearly danced all the way home. Although, I almost didn't make it home. If you lived in my neighborhood, you might know of the strange lady in the brown car. She drives around and around and around and scares the 'what-not' out of people, plants and things. She almost hit me. (which reminds me that Thursday, my dad jumped out of his chair in my living room because he saw a car across the street ride over a curb and onto the sidewalk. it was the brown car lady.)

The evening was topped off by a trip to the Dairy Dip with Baby Boy and his family. He likes me better than ice cream.

Tonight THGGM and I watched "Night at the Museum". Last night it was "The Queen". My, my. aren't we immersing ourselves in culture.

And now it is time for the National Anthem, and then the test pattern will appear on your screen.

Good night.

Taking a Break from the News

I paid a quarter for these little doll plates.

I love how worn and used they look.

Such cute detail for something as simple as a doll's plate.

Knitting bunnies and cats playing with yarn are necessary amusements on a day like today.

The news is just so sad.

Thrifty Friday Morning

I'm off to an even early start than usual this weekend.

I thrift shopped alone today.

I needed to unwind after the doctor's appointment for my parents.

Eight dollars worth of thrift, and now I am relatively calm.

I found Calvin Klein overalls and an airplane shirt for Baby Boy.

I also found a Dr. Seuss book that I didn't have.

And, "A Sleepy Story" I buy whenever I find it. I love this story, and it made ME tired every time I read it to my kids.

I also found "Flannery O'Connor - The Complete Stories". Oh, I'm not sure why, maybe for those nights that I don't WANT to sleep.

I found these two books for one dollar each.

They will do nicely for the altered book project that I am carrying around in my head.



I just LOVE the details - especially the embossed cover.

In the past, I could not rip apart books. But these have rather brown and brittle pages, so they call out to be altered. Don't they?

Mom and Dad did very well at the doctor. Mom had a biopsy just as a precaution. When I brought them home, neither one had remembered keys. Thankfully, I live close and have a key at my house. But, from here on out I will be announcing before we leave ANYWHERE - "I don't care if you don't have to go to the bathroom right now, you are going to try anyway."

Because I'm the daughter and I said so.