White Glass Kitchenware and more favorite blogs ...

I have been drawn to vintage white glass kitchenware lately.  Maybe because my youngest daughter commented on how much she likes milk glass, but I'm pretty sure she is not going to want all of this ....

The two mixing bowls in the back came from a 1930's-1940's Sunbeam Mixmaster.  The thrift store disposed of the mixer because the cord was so worn, but I bought the two bowls ... no chips or cracks ... and the beaters.  The beaters are on Ebay, but I think I may keep these bowls.  Also shown are two Fire King swirl soup bowls, a Cremax Petalware saucer, a Fire King swirl creamer, and loaf pan (no brand), and milk glass luncheon sets.  Have you found any great thrifting buys lately?

There are quite a few thrifty ladies out there in blogland.  Three more of my favorites are Angela at http://angemalbountyhuntress.blogspot.com/ , Barbara at http://warmwoollenmittens.wordpress.com/ and Debbie at http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/ .  Check them out when you get a chance.  Have a great Monday!

Worlds Longest Yard Sale ....

Be still my beating heart!  Thanks, Angela from Bounty Huntress, http://angemalbountyhuntress.blogspot.com/, for sharing on your blog about the World's Longest Yard Sale.  Wow, wouldn't it be great to hit that sale!  Maybe some day I can work it out ... we shall see.  Anyone want to go with me ... Hazel, Caroline, Kate, Suzanne, Deb, anyone?

To check it out, go here: http://www.127sale.com/

Looks like lots of fun! :o)

Favorite Blogs ...

Before I began blogging I was reading other blogs online.  The names of some of my favorites are listed to the right, but I wanted to especially recommend two that I have utilized to a great extent lately.  The first is The Apron Thrift Girl by Selena.  You can find her here:  http://apronthriftgirl.typepad.com/  She has great posts related to thrifting and reselling, with tips included to make reselling much easier.  If you thrift shop and/or resell you will enjoy this blog very much.  Selena is a young mom who balances her wife and mother roles with reselling to bring in extra income.

Another favorite is Van at Thriftcore.  You can find her here: http://thriftview.blogspot.com/ .  She, too, writes posts on thrifting and recently has featured posts on inexpensive, natural and homemade skincare items and saving money on wardrobe essentials.  Van is a single young lady with lots of know how on the thrifting lifestyle.

Hope you enjoy these two great blogs!  Do you have some favorite blogs you frequent?

Favorite Vacation ...

Yesterday I shared about the cruise hubby and I went on and how it seemed like a fun vacation for families.  Our favorite family vacation has been when we rented a very nice condo near a beach just a little over one hour from our home.  There wasn't the looonnnggg drive or messing with airports, so maximum time was spent actually vacationing.  We found a new and beautiful 3bedroom/3bath, 3,000sf, condo located just across the street from a beach.  When you stood on the upstairs balcony you could see the beach.  It was wonderful.   Everything was decorated so lovely and all the amenities were available in more space than we have at home.  It was fantastic and a week rental runs from $900 depending on the time of year.  The kids loved it and so did hubby and I. We would get up early and go to the beach then return to the condo and it's pool in the afternoon.  There was a big flat screen tele in the living room and two more in the bedrooms with satellite tv available.  The one day it rained we did not mind because the facility was so beautiful and comfortable.  In the evenings we would return to the beach.  Here is the site where the property is featured: http://falstadpropertymanagement.com/  It is managed by the owners who are great people.

Cruising ...

Hubby took me on a cruise last December to celebrate our 25th anniversary.  It was great to be alone together for three days. We traveled on Disney's Wonder.  Beautiful ship with much to do and lots of food.  On board there were several theaters showing recent releases, so we saw two new movies.

Before we began the cruise a friend suggested we take Dramamine before we boarded the ship.  We heeded her advice and were so glad we did.  The first night waves were 18 feet.  The ship rolled so much the waiters could barely keep their balance.  We were able to eat dinner because of taking Dramamine, but many other travelers looked green around the gills and had to leave before eating.  Also, the high waves kept the ship from docking at Disney's private island, Castaway Key, which was sad because that was to be our day on the beach.

Disney cruises are great for families ... full of kiddos running around having a wonderful time.  There are multiple pools, restaurants, theaters, etc., so it is easy to keep everyone busy and happy.  Rooms are nice, though a little small ... you wouldn't want to spend a whole lot of time there with a family.  Overall, I give it a thumbs up, but you will need to save up for a bit before going.  This was my first cruise experience. How about you?  Have you been on a cruise?

Reselling ...

$8

$2.72

$3

Several weeks ago I purchased 7 tea towels at a yard sale. My daughter took two of her favorites and I put the remaining ones on Ebay.  Surprisingly, the one which had the most interest at first did not do so great, selling at $2.72. Another sold for $3.00, two for 99 cents each and the last for $8.  Three of the five still had the sticker tags attached. None of the towels had been used.  Here are pics of the three that sold for the highest.

My Frugal Girls ...

I have two beautiful daughters who are great thrifters.  They have learned well to shop for deals at consignment, thrift and yard sales.  My eldest is now married and has her own blog titled Life, Love and Frugality.  She was asked recently to write a guest post on giving from her bounty to others less fortunate.  You can find part one of this post at:
http://simoneysavers.com/2010/08/22/giving-from-the-heart-katie-at-life-love-and-frugality-pt-1/
and part two at:
http://simoneysavers.com/2010/08/23/giving-from-the-heart-katie-at-life-love-and-frugality-pt-3/  never mind that it says pt. 3.  It is part 2.
So, I shopped extra this week and on my way to donate to the food pantry at a local church.  May you be blessed enough to be able to share from your bounty!

So, here's a thrift story...

A couple of years ago my daughter and I were at a sale and I saw this painted brass lamp.  I know, it is kind of weird, but there was just something about it that caught my attention and kept it.  Daughter was soon to be married and setting up household so I encouraged her to buy it.  She did.  However, this weekend when we were loading a couch she was loaning her college aged brother to use in the dorms, she insisted that he take the lamp as well.  He did NOT want it.  She was getting rid of the lamp because her husband disliked it strongly.

I could not bear to see it donated so brought it home ... like a lost pup.  Later I looked at the lamp more closely and it had a label which included a number.  I logged on to Ebay and found similar lamps for sale listed in the high hundreds and into the thousands. WHAT????  The lamp was made by the Marbro Lamp Co. of California which is no longer in business.  Online I found a history on the company which said they only sold to high end furniture stores and interior designers and that each of their lamps was unique.  Current wholesale prices for their brass lamps range from $300.00 to $3,000.00.  Well, the jury is still out.  I may have a quirk lamp that is worth much less, but waiting to hear from an online estimating company concerning it's value.  We shall see.  What great finds have you come across?  I have posted the lamp on Ebay several times with  a local pickup only .  It is so large and heavy I did not want to ship it.  It has not sold even at $99.99.  I want to sell it and give half the proceeds to the charity from whose sale we purchased the lamp. Any suggestions?

Be sure to check out the thrift shares at:
http://apronthriftgirl.typepad.com/apron_thrift_girl/      and
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/

Recent Yard and Thrift Sale finds ...

Found a few treasures this week.  Some came from a local Goodwill store, but most were from yard sales.  My favorite buy was this original framed oil painting that is now in my entryway.  Is it not lovely?  $10.00. I thought it was definitely worth the money. I have been trying to find just the right picture to go there and this is it.

Below is an antique enamel top table, of which I did not get much of in this pic.  Sorry about that.  It needs some work, but think it will clean up well. 

Additionally, I found the crock, $2 (no name on bottom), a 70's (I think because of the Holly Hobbie paper that is on the back) Bessie Gutman Pease framed and matted print, $1, 70's milk bottle, vintage linen hand towels from Brasil, clear glass pitcher that I think is vintage, garlic roaster, and a glass pitcher with red plastic on top and bottom (probably retro). Oh, and two classic children's books ... In a People House and Curious George in very good condition, thrown in free with table.

My yard saling will be less this weekend as we move son number one back to college on Saturday. :o(  Sorry he has to go back, but do get to see my two daughters in the process. :o)  Hope you have good success saling this weekend.  Blessings!

 Check out the thrift shares at:
http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/2010/08/garage-salen-13.html
http://apronthriftgirl.typepad.com/apron_thrift_girl/
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/

Vintage Children's Book Illustrations ...

Remember "The Red Fairy Book" I posted pics of in an earlier blog post?  Copyright was 1906 by W. B. Conkey Company of Chicago.  The illustrations, mostly black and white, are beautiful, but the book is falling apart.  I have been separating the pages by story and thinking about putting them on Ebay or Etsy.  Surely, there is some good use for these lovely pictures somewhere.  I know everything is going digital, but think someone would like to have the old illustrations on the old paper.  What do you think?  Any ideas?

Vintage Treasure Finds From Saturday...

Okay, here are photos of my vintage treasure finds from Saturday. First is an old, heart-shaped lock, supposedly from a railroad company.  It does say LNM Co on the keyhole cover.  There is no key.

Next I found a vintage 50's, I believe, table lamp.  It is pink with gold splatter ceramic and metal.  It may be the "atomic" style of the era.  The gal I bought it from says it is from the 40's, but the style looks more 50's.  There is no harp or shade.  I have looked online for shades from that era, but they are quite expensive.  Maybe I will find one at another yard sale.

Last find of the day is a reproduction of an old Marilyn Monroe ad for Lustre-Creme Shampoo.  It is metal, measures 16"x12" and is not vintage, but these old ad repros seem to be popular as decor items.  I am thinking about opening another resale booth at a pre-owned home decor shop where this item may sell well.

Sent my youngest son off to first day of school this morning.  One down, two to go.  Then, I hope to do some more thrift shopping and yard saling.  Enjoy your last days of summer! :o)

Remember to check out the party at: http://southernhospitalityblog.com/treasure-from-the-antique-mall/

Star Wars Convention...

My dear husband took four of our children to the annual Star Wars Convention being held in Orlando this weekend.  They had a great time and had pictures made with other fans who came dressed as characters from the different Star Wars movies.

I did not attend, but had breakfast with a friend and then hit a few Garage Sales.  As I mentioned in yesterday's post, it was Garage Sale Day.  Still do not have pics of the treasures I found, but will try to do that tomorrow, after I get my youngest out the door for his first day back at school.  After returning home I spent the afternoon catching up on laundry, dishes and tidying the house. I do not usually like to be home alone, but yesterday was different.  I put on a worship cd my daughter made for me and enjoyed time alone, with God, in my home.  Even us social people need this once in awhile.  Hope you get to enjoy some times of refreshing soon.  We all need to recharge our batteries so we can continue to love and serve those God puts in our care.

Happy National Garage Sale Day!

While reading a thrifter's blog this morning I found out it is National Garage Sale Day .... every second Saturday of August.  So, Happy Garage Sale day to you! :o)  Hope, if you enjoy garage sales, you are able to get out and hit a few.

I found some treasures this morning while out, but can't post a picture of them yet.  Hubby has my camera at the National Star Wars Convention that is in town this week. But, I will share with you what they are and post pictures later.  I found an either 1940's or early 1950's vintage table lamp with a pink with gold splatter ceramic part and metal.  It works, but has no harp or shade. The lady selling said it was her grandmother's and had been in her home as long as she can remember. She was born in 1950.  Hoping I can find a suitable shade for it.  I also found a very old heart-shaped lock with the letters LNM Co. on the keyhole cover.  The gal said she was told it was an old railroad lock.  It measures 2"x3" with a 1/2" depth.  It is cool looking.

Friday my daughter and a friend and I went saling and I found several vintage linen tea towels with the original tag/stickers still attached. My daughter took two she liked to use in her kitchen and the rest are now on Ebay.  On Thursday I found some older Fisher Price Little People figures and accessories that I have posted as well.  We shall see how they do.  It is fun to find little treasures to share and to sell.  Let me know of your garage saling adventures or whatever else you enjoy.

Remember to check out the party at: http://southernhospitalityblog.com/treasure-from-the-antique-mall/

A Trip Home ...

Just returned from my yearly trip to Missouri to visit with family.  It is always nice to see everyone, visit and work together.  This year my sister and her family have returned to the area to live for a season.  She was gracious enough to house part of our crew.  It was great to spend time with her.  We always have fun hitting the thrift stores and yard sales.  Wish we were closer to one another to do this more often.

Other than thrifting and visiting, my daughter and I were able to pick red plums from a tree near my sister's home and made 34 half pints of jam ... Mmmmmm!  The color is so beautiful and the taste is delectable.  I had been disappointed that we missed blackberry season and then to find out the red plums were ripening ... what a treat!  Thank you, Lord! :o)

 We also made a trip to Castor River on a hot day and the water was wonderful.  Nothing like a cool river when the temps are over 100. The water there is so clear you can see to the bottom even in the deep areas.  It is a nice change from Florida in that I did not have to worry about alligators.  Somehow snakes don't seem too bad after you have had to deal with larger reptiles.

Hope you have had a nice summer and been able to spend time with those you love.  It is time to prepare for kids back in school now.  I will miss these lazy days of summer ... how about you?