A Few Sales

Now that the weather is turning colder, the sales are starting to dwindle.  I have been trying to visit the resale/thrift stores.   Shopping at Goodwill has been fun, but the merchandise is dwindling there also.  I have found some really neat costume jewelry lately. 

The 1st Congregational Church in Crystal Lake had their fall rummage sale on Wednesday.  This is a good sale to go to.  I did find a lot of costume jewelry here also.  Mostly for me though.  Only a few pieces to use on my knitting projects.  (Most were $1 each).  I also found a few doilies and a wonderful Christmas apron.  I also found a vintage tablecloth of Alaska, which is up on ebay at this minute.  I found the kids some empty Pokemon tins for their cards that are spread out all over their rooms and a Terminator mask and arm that shoots its hand. 

Today the kids and I went exploring at some quaint antiqueish stores in Poplar Grove.  I found a few vintage Christmas decorations.  They will be starting their Christmas sales in a week or two.  We stopped at a farm stand and bought some acorn squash and a cool pumpkin that looks like peanuts are growing on it.  Pumpkins were $2 each to start clearing them out.  Then, we headed over to Edwards Apple Orchard where we had lunch, played outside and bought some apple cider and dip mix.  They always have a selection of items to taste test and of course we did that too.  I consider bargain hunting taste testing also. 

Here are some items that I got good deals on recently:  Ethan needed a new winter coat and I looked everywhere for one.  Farm and Fleet in Woodstock had the best deals and I got him 2 coats for $60.00.  I found myself a new winter coat also from Calvin Klein at TJ Maxx.  I started Christmas shopping on Wednesday at Toys R Us and bought the kids something (I can't say incase they are reading this) and in todays circular they were giving a free $19.99 item with each purchase of that item.  So, since I bought 2, I went back to the store and got my 2 free items.  (A nice deal while saving $40.00). 

Christmas time is my favorite time of year.  I love to collect vintage Christmas ornaments.  I always start to decorate the house the day after Thanksgiving.  It is so much fun to look at my collection of Christmas items and to remember where they came from.    One of my favorite holiday sales, Mistletoe Magic,  is next Saturday Nov 5 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock.  They sell handcrafted items, vintage items, costume jewelry etc and the place is a Christmas wonderland.   We love to buy the handmade cookies that sell by the pound.   I look forward to this all year long.  Can't wait!