Luck of the Junk

Yesterday morning, I stopped into an estate sale in my neighborhood.  I scored two awesome quilts.  One is a mishmash of squares and circles that will go in Bebe's room.

I love the pink accents in the quilt, and though it has a few squares that have to be sewn down or replaced, for $20 dollars it's a steal.

The other is a red double wedding ring quilt.  It's made of polyester, I think, but is not torn and has no stains.  I like that the edge has a scalloped design.  It was $40 so a bargain, too.

sharing @ Southern Hospitality's Thrifty Treasures

I've been Junking again

Inevitably, when I make a trip to my mom's, I get the urge to peek through every antique/junk store along the way, but usually I can't stop since our dog is in tow (never leave your pets in the vehicle, y'all, it's just too damned hot!).  This time, however, I convinced hubs to keep 'ol George and was free to stop in as many small towns as I pleased.  We stopped in Blanco, Burnet, Brownwood, and Fredricksburg for junking and it was fun.  Here are some of the things I picked up along the way...

Whatnot Wednesday?

Orange Fire King Loaf Pan for $2.50...score.

Picked up a few more items when I went to antique row yesterday.  What better way to mellow out before a math final, eh?

Sweet little sugar canister, $6.95

I couldn't find a thing about this canister online.  The lid says Ermetico and the bottom says Carlton Glass.  I don't think it's old, but I like it just the same. ::added note-just saw that there's a signature and date, 1987, on the bottom right corner of the image::

Junking Heaven





Over the Thanksgiving break, my mom and I took time to go thru some of our favorite antique stores.  Too, we made a stop at the mall in Brownwood, TX and of all things, it had a "Peddlers" type store inside.  If you've ever been to a "Country Peddler's Show" you may know what I'm talking about.  We have one come thru town about once a season.  I went to my first...ever...back in October in search of baby's stocking, but couldn't find a one.  Peddler shows consist of various vendors selling their wares.  What I noticed was a lot of the same things from booth to booth, really blingy, chunky, jewelry, dip & soup mixes, home decor (mainly consisting of crosses & animal prints-maybe this is a TX thing), and kids decor (mainly little girls stuff in hot pink with black and white zebra prints and peace signs-go figure).  There were some nicely crafted things, just not what I was in search of.  The Peddler in the Brownwood mall, however, was more my speed.  There were vendors with antiques, old quilts and linens, vintage aprons & dishtowels, and yes, even my sought after Christmas Stockings!  Here are some images of things I found @ the Peddler...



This purse is for my friend's daughter who has a birthday just around the corner. It's in honor of the families' weenie dog!

 

Stockings only $8! Front and back views shown

 

and the makings for mon petit bebe's stocking

 



Here's a lovely pair of sparrow toothpick holders.  I found them at a shop in Rising Star, TX





Here's a quilted pillow that I fell in love with...only $4!







and sweet little quilt squares...I'm thinking I may frame them.  What do you think?

one of the cutest aprons I've ever seen...only $2!

I found so many wonderful things and at such good prices.  I couldn't imagine a better way to do my Black Friday shopping than lolling thru antique stores and shops finding such lovely buys.  Waiting in long lines and fighting for gadgets, that's for the birds ; )

This~n~That Thursday

Trying a new thing here...thought I'd share things I've stumbled across lately that are too good not to share.
Gourd Birds from Maya








...and this recipe from my pal over @ Cajun Delights.  This image has stuck with me all week.  I must buy the ingredients when I'm "makin' groceries".  This lady is one fine cook.  You should drop in on her page often!

I absolutely love this stocking.  I found it on etsy.

and look at this one! OOOH AHHH

Christmas Wish List, anyone?
Bottle Opener @ Anthropologie
and pie birds of all kinds.

Whatnot Wednesday

I didn't get to go junking this past weekend since we spent most of the holiday at the lake or on the couch but, my uncle did bring back some of the goodies I'd left at my mom's (since they wouldn't fit in the car) from my last visit there.

Fiesta ware Salt and Pepper shakers, a gift from Grandma...they were her mom's (my Mimi's)

Milk Glass Hobnail Lamp

I'm thinking of selling some of this stuff on Etsy but, I'm new to that whole concept so a little apprehensive.  Anyway, here are more goods...

Irmi Wee Willie Winkie Lamp

Vintage giftwrap: baby & bridal shower prints.

I found some really amazing deals and I can't wait to share more bargains in the future.  In the mean time, I'll share a recipe for a pasta salad I had this weekend sooo yummy that I'll have to make some tonight!

Spaghetti Salad:
1 pkg. spaghetti (12 oz.) broken into thirds
1/2 c. salad oil (or a little less)
3 tbsp. Accent I'm scratching this since it has MSG, I'll use a cajun seasoning instead such as Tony Chachere's ( I JUST DID THIS AND I RECOMMEND NOT USING 3 TBSP...MORE LIKE 1-1/2)
3 tbsp. lemon juice (juice from approx. 2 lemons)
1 Bell pepper (chopped)
2 Green onions (chopped)
1 small can Ripe black olives, chopped
1 jar Pimientos, diced (if desired)
1 tbsp. mayonnaise or salad dressing

Boil spaghetti, drain and rinse with cold water. Add salad oil, Accent and lemon juice. Let sit in refrigerator overnight. Add chopped bell peppers, olives, onions and pimentos. Add mayonnaise and salt and pepper to taste. Leftovers may be kept in refrigerator for several days. Gets better.

this~n~that Thursday

Okay, this is a little overdue since I mentioned posting last Saturday's junking finds a few days back but, here it is, as promised.

daughter's 1st cookbooks.  cost= $3 for both.  She picked these herself!

my little bargain book finds: a sweet kid's book circa '63 and a Southern Living Seafood cookbook

and the best for last, this darlin' little recipe tin box!

Sunday morning cat nap

Wipe Out (and a Squash Casserole)

Today has been rough, not particularly tough but, I think the heat and the new "schedule" revolving my classes has got me beat.  You could say, "somebody's got a case of the Mondays".  Ha!  I sat in my car for 15+ minutes trying to leave campus and I could feel my energy seeping from my pores, blending into the seat that I'd melted into.  I've got blisters from the cutesy sandals that I wore, and I think I got caught on the red light cam 'cause the yellow turned to red as I went thru the intersection after I finally got the heck out of Dodge, um, I mean campus.  There's a reason you don't see too many gals in their thirties floatin' the halls of a college campus, I just have to say ,and the ones that you do see are a tough breed so give 'em a pat on the back next time you pass them.  After I picked up the girls from school, I got after it in the kitchen.  Tonight, we had a pork tenderloin, homemade mashed potatoes, and a squash casserole.  As a side note, I asked my daughter what veggies she had today.  After a lingering thought she replied, " a tomato slice".  Great. 

Here's Paula Deen's recipe for the squash; I love it.  Mashed taters and this casserole are some of my favorite comfort foods and comfort food is what this lady's needed.  All is quiet, right now, as my family is busily stuffing their faces.  I love this moment and I'll tell you a secret, sometimes getting them quiet by food is my only incentive in cooking it.  Shh, don't tell.

Anyway, I love Paula Deen.  It's one of my life goals to meet this awesome lady.  She reminds me of my grandma and she was the BEST lady I've ever known (you will hear me talk about my grandma a lot on this here blog since I have many of her recipes).  Oh, and...

Here's Paula

Ingredients:


6 cups large diced yellow squash and zucchini ( I use about 5-6 yellow squash)
Vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (TX sweet onions are the best)
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon House seasoning (this is, essentially, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to taste)
1 cup grated cheddar cheese (if I'm out of real cheese, I cheat and use velveta.  I also like to add 1/2 a cup of grated parm either with or without the "real" cheese)
1 cup crushed butter crackers, recommended: Ritz (I use one sleeve of crackers, crushed and if I'm frustrated like I was today, I really get after this part with a meat mallet)

Directions:
     Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
     Saute the squash in a little vegetable oil over medium-low heat until it has completely broken down, about 15 to 20 minutes. Line a colander with a clean tea towel. Place the cooked squash in the lined colander. Squeeze excess moisture from the squash. Set aside.  (I've always skipped this step...just sayin')

     In a medium size skillet, saute the onion in butter for 5 minutes. Remove from pan and mix all ingredients together except cracker crumbs. Pour mixture into a buttered casserole dish and top with cracker crumbs.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

score!

Tomorrow I'll upload pics of my junking finds this past Saturday.  Nothing major, but some cute stuff.  ~ 'til we meet again

Happy Finds!

Happy Monday, all...so thrilled about yesterday's finds at the flea market, I just have to share!  By all means, I'm no expert when it comes to junking but, I've been studying up on certain items and get positively giddy when I come across something that I know is great deal!  During this last year of being pregnant, I searched extensively for the perfect vintage finds for my baby's room.  I wanted "vintage circus".  See, I had Little Golden book circus images in my mind.  Come to find out, what I was looking for was very hard to find.  However, in the process of combing through countless pages, I stumbled upon things that I wasn't looking for but, loved none the less.  Irmi lamps made a debut on The Baby Gardner's blog and it was love at first sight but,  I couldn't afford the ones I'd seen online.  Lo and behold, I found my first Irmi "Wee Willie Winkie" lamp around my mom's neck of the woods and it was a steal at $12!  Yesterday, I found another!  This is "Humpty Dumpty and all the King's men"  and I got it for $8!  It's amazing!  There was a cute picture I found for $4 and a flour canister for $5, too.  IT  was a GOOD day!  See pics of my loot : )

The lamp works and the real treat was finding out that "all the king's men" on that little round disc wind up to play a sweet little music box melody.  I about died!  I will have items listed for sale on Etsy after Labor Day weekend, hopefully.  I will keep you guys posted.  Later, Toots