Bookshelf Clean Up

I was tired of looking at the chaos in Austin's bookshelf.  He had books and stuff everywhere.  It was time to tackle the cleanup.  I wish I had taken a before picture.  We took out books that he was done with and will take them to Half Price Books to make some money.  Some of the books we put in a "keep forever" box.  Those were books he loved and couldn't part with.  I only have about a dozen of those "keep forever" boxes in my basement.  On Friday, we will be adding to his bookshelf since we are going to the Algonquin Library book sale.

2 Rummage Sales in One Day!

2 rummage sales in one day is heaven.  I am so glad that I was off from subbing.  Sometimes things just work out perfectly.  Austin was off from school also, so he joined me in treasure hunting.  We spent the morning at the 1st Congregational Church on Pierson Street in Crystal Lake.  Austin found some Pokémon cards and Transformer toys.  I found a flag pattern milk glass plate for $2.50,  bags of fabric pieces from 50 cents to $1 each, a vintage pin for 50 cents and vintage earrings for 50 cents. 

The Methodist Church on Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake had their rummage sale starting at 5pm, so Ethan and Austin both went with me.  We did find some video games and Pokémon cards so the boys were happy.  I found a beautiful milk glass pedestal bowl for $6, vintage pins for $1-2 each and a vintage scarf for $2.  The scarf is really unique. I loved it at first sight.

It was fun seeing our rummage sale friends twice in one day.  Since the season is winding down for rummage sales, we won't see them until the spring when the sales start up again.

This weekend is the Christmas craft fair at Crystal Lake South High School in Crystal Lake.  It always has such nice items.  Friday Nov 1 is the Algonquin Library book sale starting at 4pm.  (You can go on Thursday but have to pay an entry fee).  This is a really good book sale.  Plus you get cookies and something to drink afterwards.  Nov 2, Saturday, is Mistletoe Magic at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock.  This is my ultimate favorite sale.  There are wonderful craft items plus vintage jewelry and trinkets.  The best part is that you can buy cookies by the pound that the members make.  We love that part!

I Was Craving......

I had a craving for my grandmother's pita with apple.  (Just like an apple pie.)  Since today was chilly, it seemed the perfect time to make it.  I love cinnamon, so I added a lot of it.  It was delicious.  We ate half of it after dinner.  It is easy to make.  I will be making another one of it this week since Ethan needs it for extra credit in Spanish class.  He needs to do a project on a deceased relative and if he brings in a recipe/food from that person, he will get extra credit.  Here is her recipe:  1 cup of sugar, 2 sticks of butter, 3 tbs sour cream, 1 tsp baking soda, 3-4 cups of flour.  Roll out the dough for 2 layers.  Filling:  slice apples and mix with cinnamon and 1/2 cup of sugar.  Lay 1 layer of dough in pan, fill with apples, put another layer of dough on top.  Bake at 400 degrees until brown.

That's it.  It's so easy and sooooo delicious.  Enjoy!

The kids and I went to the Cary Library book sale today.  We found so many good books.  I think I bought all of the knitting books.  I got half price since I am a teacher.  I just had to show my license.  It was nice to get good books for a great price.

The Methodist Church in Crystal Lake on Crystal Lake Avenue is having their rummage sale on Oct 24th.  3 rummage sales that day!  What could be better.

Autumn Drive

The day was cloudy and cold, but at least it wasn't raining like last year.  It felt like a perfect fall day.  It was the perfect day for treasure hunting at Autumn Drive in Woodstock. 

My cousin Barb and I have been doing Autumn Drive for the past few years.  We always stop at Lois's barn sale first.  I found some jewelry (from $4 to $6) and a blue milk glass compote for $6 and a vintage pitcher for $4.  I had been looking for a floral vintage pitcher all season and hadn't found one that I liked at the right price until today.  I bought some squash and Barb bought a pumpkin.  We stopped at a few other garage sales along the way, but didn't find anything else.  Autumn Drive was smaller this year and I didn't see as many treasures to choose from.  It is still a nice ride in the country though and a fun way to spend the day.

Tomorrow is both the McHenry and Cary Libraries book sales. 

Huntley Rummage Sale

Today was the Huntley church rummage sale.  I got there at 1pm and still found some treasures.  They had opened at 12noon while it was pouring.  I'm glad I got there at 1pm because the rain had slowed.

I found 3 vintage plates for $1 each, a few books for 50 cents to $1 each, fabric pieces for 50 cents to $1 each, doilies for $1, a Vogue pattern for 10 cents, a wood figure for 50 cents, a handpainted chicken vase for $3.50 and some sewing notions for 50 cents to $1 each.  I also found the cutest cow box (with udders) for $5.  I'm going to use it to put my mom's Christmas presents in.  It is perfect!  She will really love it.  We are always wanting the cow mailbox that my sister-in-law, Tina, has.  Now my mom has her own cow.  Maybe Tina will want this box.  It would make a nice planter (it only needs some holes in it for drainage).

Tomorrow is Autumn Drive in Woodstock.  It is supposed to be a nice day but on the cool side.  Perfect weather for a fall outing.  This weekend is the last event for Trail of History in McHenry.  It is worthwhile to see.  Lots of fun activities and vendors.  The Sparrows Nest stores have opened up their Christmas areas in the stores.  I know that Cary opened it on Tuesday.  Next week will be Woodstock and a few others. 

Shh... The Garden is Sleeping

The kids and I put the raised beds vegetable garden to bed today.  The weather was beautiful; perfect for closing the garden.  We picked the rest of the tomatoes and put in new soil for next year.  I already miss the fresh tomatoes right off of the vine.  We did find 1 yellow one.  The rest are green, but will ripen in the house.  (We even managed to mow the lawn.)

I rearranged some of the outdoor ornaments and cut down weeds and vines.  My back hurts but, it is a good hurt.  If you know what I mean.

I have been finalizing the presenters for Gardenfest on April 5, 2014 at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.  It has been extremely busy and time consuming, but the end is in sight.  Once the brochures are done, I don't have much to do until January.

Tomorrow, the Sparrows Nest in Cary opens with their Christmas shop.  I start back to subbing and will try to go in the afternoon.  I love all things Christmas and don't want to miss it.

Vintage Tablecloths

Today was my day for finding vintage tablecloths.  I have to get them while I can.  I don't always come across them.  But, today was the day!

I found 2 of them at a garage/estate sale in McHenry.  The one is grey and yellow and it was $3.  I can't ever pass up a $3 vintage tablecloth.  The other one has 4 napkins with the tablecloth that is red poppies.  It was $8.  The lady told me it only had 2 napkins, but when I got it home, it had 4.  Even better.

The other 2 came from an estate sale in Woodstock.  One is a California tablecloth ($10) and the other is a smaller pink floral one with 4 napkins which was $5.  They were all pretty good buys.  Only a few stains, but no holes.  I already soaked 2 of them in Oxyclean and they came out really nice.  Tomorrow I will work on the other 2.

The Grayslake Flea Market is this weekend.  Too bad I can't make it.  Soccer season is still in full swing.  The McHenry and Cary Libraries book sales are next weekend Oct 19-20.  Those are good sales.  The Algonquin Library book sale is Oct 31-Nov 3.  (Thursday is preview night with a $10 fee admission.)  Oct 24th is the Congregational Church rummage sale on Pierson Street in Crystal Lake.  One of my favorite sales. 

Last Cedarburg WI Flea Market of 2013

What started out as a cold wet morning, turned into a cool sunny wonderful day.  We had sooooo much fun at the last Cedarburg flea market of the season.  We got a great parking place only about 1 block away from the flea market.  We made 3 trips back to it with great treasures.

We stopped in to see Mary, a vendor friend who sells vintage toys.  The boys found their treasures early at her booth.  Now we have a Homer Simpson Santa coming out of a chimney while he talks.  Doesn't everyone need one of those?  Next door to her, we found boxes of vintage pottery/glassware for $4 a box.  Ethan, Caldwell and I made our first trip to the car.  Austin waited with the cart for us to return.  Right across the street from my van, a garage sale was going on.  I found vintage pins for $1 each, a great hand painted plate for $2 and a bag of gold/silver chains for $5.  The bag was full of other vintage jewelry as well.  It was a find of the day!

Back at the flea market, we kept finding treasures at every booth.  Since it was the last sale of the season, prices were super cheap.  Austin found 3 golf club head covers of the 3 Stooges.  He paid $20 from his own money.  They even talk.  Ethan found a video game.  We ate a lot of food, as usual.  Caldwell found sunglasses for $1 each and splurged on 15 of them.  One for every mood.  I found some great salt/pepper shakers that I'm going to use for crafting.  I have a few ideas to start working on.  (They were only 50 cents to $1 each).  I only found 1 Christmas ornament for $1.  I found my father his Christmas present.   He has started to collect whiskey bottles.  I found him a potato whiskey bottle.  I know that he doesn't have one of them.  At one of the booths, I got a huge bouquet of dried flowers.  It looks really nice in a wooden vase in my hallway.  Great fall colors.  We stayed close to the end of the flea market. 

We then spent the rest of the day walking the downtown area.  We stopped in a gem shop and a jewelry store across from the winery.  Austin panned for gems and I found a wonderful amethyst stone silver necklace.  What a fun day we had.  We even bought spices at Penzeys Spice Store.

I always hate when flea market season comes to a close.  There are still some good ones open year round that I can go to, but Cedarburg is one of my favorites.  I have the dates for 2014.  I'll be counting down until May.

Oct 18-20 is Autumn Drive on Franklinville Rd/Garden Prairie Road in Woodstock.  It is a lot of fun.  Lots of sales all along the road.  Don't miss this treasure hunt.

Homemade Snow Globes

It's Christmas time again!  Once October arrives, I'm in Christmas mode.  It's my favorite holiday.

I found all of the items that I needed to make homemade snow globes.  I use artichoke jars (lacquer thinner removes the expiration date from the jar), Christmas cards, ribbon for the tie to hang and around the edges of the lid, a hot glue gun, Epsom salt for the snow, a scalloped scissor, a drill and bit and items to use inside the jar.  I spent this afternoon making them since it was raining outside and the technician was finally here to install satellite internet.  (I can finally post!)

I like how they came out.  They will be cute on a present.

Look What I Found!

I didn't have much time today to look for treasures.  I have been having so much trouble with my internet, that I am having a satellite put in for it.  So, I have to wait around for 4 hours for the service to be installed.  Bummer. 

I made sure that I stopped at the VFW in Woodstock.  They are having their soups to nuts sale.  The prices are always so cheap.  I spotted a squirrel cookie jar that I knew that my mom would like.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to ship it to her since it is quite large.  But, when the man said it was $1, there was not turning back.  I had to buy it.  I will figure out how to ship it to her unbroken.  It is going to be a part of her Christmas present.  Shh!

Getting Things Done

I accomplished a lot today.  First, I went to the Methodist Church rummage sale in McHenry.  It was really good this time.  I headed for the costume jewelry, as did all of the dealers, and just piled bags into my bag.  I got so many nice things.  Some I will use for when I create my own jewelry and some I will wear.  They were priced from 25 cents to $2.  I also found some books.  Amy Butler was one.  I love reading her books and seeing her style.  I like a lot of the same things she does.  I found the kids 2 Mario Halloween costumes for $2 each.  They go for $50 in the store.  I had been looking for them for years and finally found them today. I also found 2 vintage evening purses; one was velvet and the other has sequins. ($2 each).   So much fun.  I stopped at a few garage sales, but a few were closed because of the rain.  I went to one in McHenry and a friend that I have been working with at school was having it.  We talked for a while and she likes many of the things that I do.  Another treasure hunting friend!

In the afternoon, I finally finished 2 pillows for my living room in fall/winter colors.  They came out really nice.  I especially like the blue/brown color combination on the one.  I used some more vintage material yoyos and buttons on it.  The other pillow has some nice color combinations of flowers.  I used blue tassels that I bought from Material Girl in Crystal Lake to pick up some of the blue in the pillow.  I'm happy with that one also.

Sunday is the last Cedarburg Wisconsin flea market for the season.  I keep checking on the weather.  I want to go so badly that I'm not going to let it rain.  I don't mind the cold that's coming.  I just don't want the rain.  Rain, rain go away....

October 19th is the McHenry and Cary libraries book sales.  Both are good ones.